All can share in holiday’s bounty

It may be overshadowed by the big gift-giving extravaganza a month later, but let’s be thankful we have a holiday like Thanksgiving. In the current culture of tribal politics and contentious social issues, there is something incomparably warm and satisfying about a day devoted to appreciation, one that imposes few expectations beyond a good meal.

At the very least, it’s the celebration that most readily finds a place at the table for everyone in the raucously diverse American landscape. To start with, departures from, and additions to, the traditional turkey feast are welcome, as Hawaii households prove each year.

There was a religious context for the first Thanksgiving — a prayerful observance marking survival in a challenging, untamed environment. But the holiday also accommodates the nonreligious. Those who are not thanking any deity have the opportunity to thank their friends and loved ones for being part of their lives.

And it’s nonpolitical, too. There have been no assertions about any "war on Thanksgiving." Other than the angst over favorite recipes or the yearly spats with relatives, what is there to fight about?

Still, one element of sadness that hovers over Thanksgiving is the fact that even on such a simple holiday, there is a seemingly growing tally of people who can only afford to fully partake in it through the generosity of others.

The problem of hunger in America is a persistent topic of discussion on the policymaking agenda. What’s the right way for government to address poverty? Is it business-friendly policies that boost job-creation? Is it government outreach to bolster the safety net for the poor?

The best answer probably lies in some combination of these strategies, but in the spirit of this non-divisive holiday, why not steer clear of politics and focus on areas of common ground? All can agree that responding to the charitable instinct in providing families with decent food — and not only on holidays — is a good start.

So now — before hitting the shopping center, if that’s your impulse — it would be a worthwhile gesture to consider ways to help the hungry.

The Star-Advertiser works to help families stretch their budgets through the annual Good Neighbor Fund, to name one option. Monetary gifts can go to: Good Neighbor Fund, care of Helping Hands Hawaii, 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, Honolulu, HI 96819.

The next time the Hawaii Foodbank has a drive, send a gift its way, or give directly to one of the food pantries supported by that charity. If extra money is scarce, you can give the gift of time by volunteering with any number of nonprofits that serve the poor.

Thanksgiving Day itself can be the occasion for service — or it can be a reminder, persisting over the coming weeks and months, of the community’s most pressing needs. There is nothing more basic than hunger.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving feast, and think about ways to share your good fortune. That’s a fitting way to start the holiday season.