A Little Bit of Hope...

“A little hope goes a long way.” -Morris Gleitzman

This is 5th-grade math, but do you know how to find the average of a set of numbers? Add every number together and then divide by the amount of numbers you were given. For example, the average of the set of numbers 3, 4, 7, and 10 is 6. 7+10 is 17, 3+4 is 7, added together is 24, divided by 4 is 6. Simple!

The average number of a set is used for data collection. It’s used to show how much average consumers purchases so and so items, or whatever else.

It can also show just how little can be necessary to go a long way.

I work at a grocery store where we sometimes partner with local charities to gather donations for them. Each customer has an opportunity to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar for one or more charities. The computer does the work to see how much was gathered and what goes on from there. But recently, I’ve taken the liberty of gathering my own set of numbers to see just how much people give. In one day alone, I’d gotten at least 64 people to donate some amount of money to a local food pantry. Altogether, those 64 people raised over $26. Not much in the grand scheme of things, sure. But if you think about it, if a box of macaroni and cheese can help feed a family of 4 people, and it costs about $1.50 to buy one, the amount of money at that one register alone has helped buy over 17 boxes.

The average donation? About $0.46, ranging from 2 to 97 cents per person. The impact of a few cents? Huge. How do I know?

“My life was changed by food banks.”

“I give because I was in that position once where food was scarce and I needed help.”

“I rounded up because it helps keep food on the table for those who need it.”

Just three of the many responses I got when I asked why people rounded up. I’ve had a handful of people who’ve given more than the few cents rounded up, one giving close to $5. She mentioned she grew up knowing what it’s like to feel hungry on a daily basis with little food available. She doesn’t want anyone to go through that ever again.

But money isn’t the only thing that helps.

I'd recently struggled with a bout of depression, so bad that I didn’t know where to turn to. So, I texted a small group of friends that I’ve gotten to know and love throughout the last few months. I got lost in thought while I waited for a response from one or more of them. I ended up watching YouTube videos for a bit until I got a text that read: “Can’t talk on the phone, but I can text. What’s up?” It was my friend Bailey who reached out first. It probably took her all of 10 seconds to text out, but it brightened my otherwise gloomy day that someone cared enough to reach out. We talked a bit, then I got another text from my friend Carissa, who offered to hang out with me during the next day or two! I was so excited, I was smiling from ear to ear all day that next day because I was elated that someone would take time for me!

Just a few seconds can spark hope in someone’s life, something that is so easily forgotten about in this world. A text can brighten someone’s day. A couple of hours can spark a long-term friendship.

What can you do to spread a little hope?