SNAP
Food benefits
Perhaps the largest news story of the past ten days is the fact that SNAP benefits have gone unfunded in November due to the Congress’ inability to pass a continuing resolution.
It’s not my intention to debate the reasons for that, or which side is right or wrong in the fight today. To do so would be to inject politics and disharmony into our Ancient Craft.
Rightly or wrongly, the federal program exists, and rightly or wrongly it is not currently funding those it is designed to fund. Including the elderly and disabled. (Both groups of whom can qualify here in Washington, and I presume in the rest of the United States.)
To my mind this brings up a vitally important question for our Lodges, a question that our Lodges have a duty to answer.
Does our Lodge have a Mason(s) who normally receives SNAP benefits, and is now in distress because those benefits are not currently flowing?
If so, what is our Lodge going to do about it?
How will our Lodge help?
Honestly, I think that this is the very essence of Relief. When we talk about Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth, this is it. We must, I believe, make an effort to find out if any of our Brothers are currently in distress over this situation with SNAP, and if we do have such a Brother, our Lodge must help.
If we do otherwise, are we truly a Masonic Lodge, or are we a Masonic Lodge in name only? Donations to institutional sized Masonic Charitable organizations or long standing Lodge philanthropic endeavors don’t cut it when a Brother of our Lodge is in need.
My suggestion is that Lodges here in the United States send an email out to their membership, asking that any member of the Lodge, in distress due to the current situation, reach out to an Officer of the Lodge for assistance.
And that the Lodge in turn provide that assistance anonymously.
We have all knelt at an Altar of God and made solemn Obligations to each other. I believe that this is what we must do at this time in order to meet those Obligations, and I hope that all Lodges will join my Lodge in doing just that.
I’ve made much ado about the ‘59 Apache Chief trailer that I bought a couple of months ago. I’m still convinced that it’s the coolest thing since sliced bread.
Well, you need one too!
Here’s a ‘65 Apache Silver Buffalo. Quite a lot bigger and more comfortable than my little Chief, but still awesome! And, not far away, right in Oregon. Seems to be in really great condition, and fairly priced.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1162717625190708/?rid=1177962564397525&ad_id&rt=1&refID=0&refType=0&referral_code=commerce_attachment
You buy this bad boy, and we can hit the State Parks with our Brothers next summer, plus, you’ll be able to join VW Clayton and I at the Mt. St. Helens Vintage Trailer Rally!
I mean, just check out those cool tail lights!
We also mustn’t forget our widows and orphans, who, I believe we frequently forget.
We have promised to befriend and relieve every Brother who needs our assistance. WE have promised. I'm not aware that any LODGE has taken this obligation. If the Lodge has a charity fund, or if its members approve charitable disbursements that's great. If not, we individually still have an obligation.
Either way, recent policy and legislative turmoil is creating new levels of hardship. It's a good time to remember that every human being has a claim upon our kind offices.