As We Reflect Upon Ourselves, Lets Stop And Think Of The Less Fortunate Hearing Impaired And Disabled Folks.

At this time of the year, as we reflect upon our own lives, lets stop and think about the other hearing impaired and disabled around us who are less fortunate. Some of our friends like these cannot afford to feed their families. Some of them live in cars, in parks, or in alleys. For a few, its by choice, for most it's by chance.

This shopping list will be a good holiday basket to a family of 4.

• 3 cans meat (6.5 oz, tuna, pork, chicken, or beef)
• 3 cans vegetables (15 oz.)
• 3 cans fruit (16 oz)
• 3 cans soup (11 oz.)
• 3 boxes of macaroni and cheese
• 2 boxes of dry soup
• 2 boxes of hot cereal
• 2 lbs. dry beans
• 2 lbs rice
• 2 boxes powdered milk (2 qt.)
• 2 cans of evaporated milk
• 2 boxes crackers
• 1 jar peanut butter (18 oz.)

Optional items: dish detergent, toothpaste, soap bars.
Also add : Information on local food banks, food assistance programs, and local soup kitchens.

Also if you wish, you can add other food items to spice up the holiday basket with items like spices, ethnic foods, and cultural foods. I get messages each year that my shopping list is either boring, flavorless, and short-sighted.

So please, if you can afford it, grab some extra groceries for a hearing impaired and disabled's family. An ideal holiday gift to a needy family like these would be groceries that lasts a few days. Contact your local hearing loss/disability association for information on connecting to a needy family.

Compassionately Yours,


Richard Roehm & Orange County Supervisor Lou Correa