Given much

We are living through an incredible time. Over the last few weeks I have witnessed so much gluttony. Working in a grocery store has left me with an interesting perspective on this whole issue. About three weeks ago it started. People were coming through our lines with multiple full carts. Full of canned goods, cleaning supplies and toilet paper. Were they the smart ones who prepared early? Or were they the ones that would keep coming back day after day to buy more? I have no problem with people having what they need for their family in a time of crisis. What I have a problem with is the people who are keeping those essential items and will never use them. The people that will try to return what they purchased so they can pay their bills. The bills they forgot about when they were spending upwards of thousands of dollars at the grocery store.
What we have been told thus far is that grocery stores are essential and will remain open through this pandemic. We have been told there is no shortage of the items we can not keep on our shelves; ie ramen, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, cleaning products, bottled water, and baby needs.
It breaks my heart every day to tell people that actually need an item that we don’t have it available for them to purchase. Seeing the lines of people waiting for toilet paper. Seeing the people take more than they need. For days the groups of people waiting outside our store waiting for us to open has varied.
Out of this pandemic I’ve seen multiple groups online to help the people that cannot help themselves, groups that have people sharing what they need and others that are able to offer what they have. I’ve also seen people turn to greed to then sell single rolls of toilet paper at a much higher cost than what they purchased it for. These kinds of groups really show the caliber of people in our world.
The first day our store closed over night and we were not limiting items to customers, I felt disgusted by humanity. People were upset that we had closed, and yet as soon as the doors opened it was a stampede of people headed straight towards the toilet paper. People were pulling out entire cases of it.  Coming to the registers with carts full of supplies. Supplies that greatly outweigh the need for a two week social distancing or quarantine. Seeing these people come through, and then right after seeing the people who only came for necessities or only needed one item and not being able to find it on the shelves.  It broke my heart. I had lost faith in humanity. Over the last few days the song from Kenneth Cope and Grace Noll Crowell called Because I Have Been Given Much  has been stuck in my head.
Because I have been given much, I too must give. Because of they great bounty, Lord. Each day I live. I shall divide my gifts from thee, with every brother that I see. Who has the need of help from me. Because I have been sheltered, fed, by thy good care. I cannot see another’s lack, and I not share. My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof’s safe shelter overhead. That he too may be comforted. Because of they life’s mission, Lord, I too will serve. I’ll leave the comfort of my home to teach thy word. I’ll see they sheep who’ve gibe astray and those who’ve never known the way. I will make they work my work today. I shall five love to those in need. I’ll show that love by word and deed. Thus shall my thanks, be thanks indeed.
Now I know everyone isn’t religious, and of course that not every one believes the way I do. I personally don’t identify as a religious person. However this has brought me to a point in my life where I see a need and I personally can’t fill that need for all of those who need it.  So if you’ve read this far, here it is. If I have something I can get and you need it, please let me know. I want to help in this difficult time and this is what I can do to help. Please going through this pandemic remember those that cannot get what they need while you are doing your shopping. Leave things on the shelves for others. Practice social distancing, check up on your family and friends that might be struggling. Do what you can to help them. We will make it through this stronger together.