And then what?

Last Saturday (Dec 12th), I was invited to sort clothes and toiletries for a large giveaway / dinner event coming up for homeless and people in need. I was told they were expecting to serve about 2,000 people this year. Later, as I was driving I heard on the radio people sharing their stories about giving and doing things for others, presents and baskets of food offered by groups and organizations all to help the homeless and the less fortunate during the holiday season. Even my family along with some friends prepared and served dinner to a group of neighbors living in dreary conditions. As I meditated this morning, I thought this time is really what many of us believe and sing: the most beautiful time of the year. But then as I took in for a few moments how beautiful is to see the spirit of giving, the willingness to share, the readiness of reaching out to others, I asked, where does it all go after all the hustle and bustle of the season fades away? Does that "spirit", attitude vanishes away? Do the poor disappear after we feed them? Are there no immediate needs to help with? Who are these people we feed and give clothes and presents to? They are people struggling to make ends meet due to low / minimum wages; they are single mothers trying to make it each day; people who can't call the place they slept home because it changes every night, people who have lost their jobs, people who stand in a corner waiting to be seen. I was just thinking, we help now and then what? I know that organizations like the one I volunteered at work all year around and many others do too. I'm thinking of people like me. After we fed our "less fortunate neighbors" and gave them some toiletries, then what? Do I still see the man standing at the corner hoping to get a job offer? Do I care whether or not he has something to eat tonight? There seems to be some courage that comes with the holiday spirit daring us to ask, to invite, to give without feeling we are intruding or be rejected with a no. Or what about those we helped, are they wondering "where are they now"?