$pent Millennial

Dear Reader,

“If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” – Dale Carnegie

This time of year always gives me a bit of holiday whiplash.

If you—like me—celebrate both Halloween and Thanksgiving and resist the rush of “season pushing” that moves on to another holiday before the first holiday even comes, you might feel it too. 

On October 31st, we’re falling asleep to horror flicks with a sugar hangover from too much candy, and the next morning, we’re waking up to menu plans, grocery lists, and family group texts to plan Thanksgiving. 

The pace of the world doesn’t slow down. We are projected out of creepy season’s scary stories and into the homey holiday season meant for gratitude and togetherness as the clock strikes midnight.

But this year, the fright that filled the final weeks of October hit closer to home. My sense of fear wasn’t from fictional monsters on a screen. It came from concern for real people in our communities.

With ongoing uncertainty around SNAP benefits and other supports, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about neighbors who might not have what they need—or who are facing the painful question of where their next meal will come from.

As Halloween (and November 1st) approached, I noticed a shift in the conversations and the headlines—more worry, more weight. Yet, when the calendar flipped to November, something else appeared, too: hope.

Gratitude started showing up in small, powerful ways. Community members stepping forward to give what they can so others can get what they need—or at least as close as we can come.

Here are just a few ways I’ve seen that spirit in action lately:

• Food pantry donations and volunteer drives filling shelves that were nearly empty weeks ago. 
• Local establishments choosing to give back—through meals, funds, or warmth.
• People-over-profit initiatives from grocers and businesses doing what they can to ease the burden.
• Schools, child care centers, and neighborhood organizations standing strong as front-line support for families.
• Grassroots community drives and creative solutions—neighbors helping neighbors, through Halloween Trick or Treat Food Drives and shopping for others 

These glimpses remind me: we can’t do everything, but we can each do something.

So, as we move into this month of gratitude, I invite you to look for one small way to help—whether that’s donating, serving, or sharing a resource or link that might reach someone who needs it. And if you’re one of the many who are in need right now, please know there’s no shame in that. You’re part of this community, too. We’ve got you. Together, we’ve got this.

As always, thank you for being here—and for being part of what makes this community stronger.

Until next week– take care of yourself, your family, and your community,

Everett