Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
A few years ago, my DH and I decided to adopt a family and do something nice for the holidays for them. We decided we were going to give them all the trimming for a holiday meal and a few spending dollars for gas or gifts for their children.
My DH and I started out dirt poor doing everything ourselves without the help of anyone other than our own need to survive. We wanted to pay our good fortune forward.
When push came to shove and we were ready to start buying stuff for our "care package" we were startled to realize that we couldn't really find a truly needy family. 
Oh, don't get me wrong, we knew lots of families that struggled and were maybe on assistance or really had a hard time paying their bills but when we really looked at them we realized all of them smoked, had newer cars, went to the casino's, dressed in name brand clothing, had cell phones and tattoos etc etc
So in all honesty, we really couldn't find a truly needy family.
I KNOW there are families out there who are struggling and really really do need the help.....but I didn't have any idea where to find them.
Not a family but some senior citizens really need the help. It saddens me to see them struggling like they do-
I know of one that receives SS, $1,200 or so. Sounds like a lot but they really struggle on this and only receive $20 food card. Once they pay their rent, food, utilities, doctor bills, medications there is usually very little left. They have canceled everything, gone to barebones everything. They know they are very blessed because every month everything is covered but I can see the stress of just surviving.
Alot of seniors will forgo medications or food so they have a little money just in case. Most of them get paid at the beginning of the month and if anything happens (doctor, meds) they may not have the money and forgo going to the doctors or something.
So maybe next year when you want to do a food basket look to a senior and you will see true happiness/appreciation in their eyes!