Paying It Forward: What would your mother think? #140
Would she be proud of your actions and support for those less able to meet the needs of their families? "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you are doing." 1 Thess. 5:11
Jack Browne, Wichita Falls Times Record News edition, Sunday November 16, 2025
What if you were today’s news? Would your mother be proud of why they covered what you did?
Recent reports note the average price for a new car has surpassed $50,000. The average first time home buyer is over 40. Today’s times are tough on many but also good for others.
In recent media reports, Fed Chair Jerome Powell discussed how consumer spending ‘has defied a lot of negative forecasts,’ as the economy continues to be strong. But he noted the current “bifurcated pattern, also called the ‘K-shaped economy,’” has higher-income families enjoying stock market gains and continuing to spend freely on travel and restaurant meals, while lower income families face stress.
The longest U.S. government shutdown in history made things even worse for those making the least money as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were curtailed.
Locally, more than half of the WFISD students are identified as at risk based on family income. SNAP curtailments have dramatically increased the number of clients at local food banks and food pantries.
News stories highlight the impact of SNAP spending, noting $8 billion per month funded in 2024. As people will spend less, grocery stores will reduce their replenishment orders, according to media reports. A reduction in fresh produce is expected to avoid increased spoilage.
As many grocery stores donate outdated food, there is less overage available for food banks to feed those without funds to purchase at grocery stores. To make up the difference, food banks need to spend more money, which is always hard to raise for nonprofits.
The gap between haves and have-nots widens with more children locally further disadvantaged.
What can each of us do? Understand our part, and the ways we can help. We can donate the food in our pantry that we don’t eat and free up our shelf space. We can donate funds to food banks and relief organizations locally. We can volunteer and serve others by helping at food banks or serving meals that local organizations provide for those at need.
As those at the bottom of the economy see more stress and seek pleasure, more will turn to abusive practices that endanger their health and that of those around them. As they seek the funds for these escapes, their behavior moves beyond acceptable standards.
Fentanyl is so addictive, our schools and police have Narcan on hand to deal with overdoses. Deaths from Fentanyl poisoning have dropped, but I still hear of Narcan administered to some who’ve previously been saved from overdoses several times.
While a friend said we should just let them overdose, he paused in thought and reconsidered after I asked, “Imagine something so addictive that you take another dose after overdosing twice in the last few months.”
Consider the following. I learned this week of a friend who set up a Christmas tree in her back yard to prepare it for display at her husband’s grave in a local cemetery. While she was gone shopping, someone stole the tree from her backyard. She noted others steal angels and other displays at cemeteries as well, tantalized by the solar powered night lighting.
At the North Texas Food Pantry where I volunteer, someone stole an extension ladder from a locked and fenced section of the property.
Homelessness in our community is increasingly visible, particularly as the cold weather comes. Some reject conditions for safe shelter and chose to stay outdoors perhaps through clouds of mental illness or lack of medications.
Consider the needs of the many in our community who are trapped in addictive behaviors and the children impacted by caregiver’s addictions.
Get involved where you can, how you can and make a difference as colder weather comes and Thanksgiving and Christmas near on our calendars.
But for the grace of God, there go we.
Jack Browne is a community activist and former technology engineer, sales and marketing executive at Motorola and other top tech companies.