Annette John-Hall: Filling need even while feeling it

It's not as if Susanne Whitehead is running around with a paper bag over her head.

After all, she's not the only one who's had to swallow her pride in these harsh economic times. Everybody's hurting.

But still.

Many of Whitehead's neighbors in her affluent Montgomery County zip code don't know she's been jobless since July, a victim of workplace "reorganization."

"I'm on unemployment and searching, but people are constantly telling me how overqualified I am," Whitehead, 56, says with a sigh.

Not only that, but she's also caring for her mother, who has congenital heart disease.

It's just the two of them, but money is still tight. Some bills get ignored so others can be paid. And Whitehead is already worried about heating costs for the winter.

But instead of feeding herself a heaping helping of self-pity, Whitehead has taken a different route.

"You have to make a choice within yourself to give. To give of your time, your food . . . whatever you can give in your situation."

Which was why Whitehead found herself headed to Philabundance on Friday to drop off a turkey and juice boxes for someone else who could use them for Thanksgiving.

"Look, I'm not anxious to let the world know that I'm in a tough spot," she says, "but there are people who are worse off than me."

While acknowledging that the deflated economy has most people keeping a vise grip on what little money they have, food organizations such as Philabundance are hoping for more givers such as Susanne Whitehead.

Because they're hurting, too.

Philabundance is the region's biggest food source, serving 600 agencies in 10 counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey - and the salvation for the ever-growing list of struggling families.

Last Thanksgiving, I wrote about how food donations to Philabundance had decreased by 67,000 pounds as food and gas prices escalated.

Well, here we are again.

With Thanksgiving looming, Philabundance's cupboards are nearly bare once more. The salvage food it used to get from supermarkets is now going to secondary markets and other distributors for a profit.

But here's the wonderful thing about giving: You set yourself for a bounty in return.

Ah, the beauty of reciprocity.

All Camille Crew wanted to do was help when she signed on three years ago to volunteer at Philabundance's Fresh for All fruit-and-vegetables program in Woodlyn, Delaware County.

"I love welcoming people with a smile," Crew says. "We've all made great friends. . . . Everybody sees how they can be a blessing to others."

But Crew, 54, soon found herself on the receiving end of the blessing she had been giving to others.

Two years ago, her disabled husband's Social Security benefit was cut, which left her department-store salary as their sole income.

Though their three children live on their own, making ends meet "is not easy," Crew says.

Not long ago, "we had to decide whether to pay the mortgage or get the car inspected," she says. "My husband did not drive his vehicle for one month until we were able to save the money to get the repairs done so he could get his sticker."

Crew wound up standing in line to get fresh fruit and vegetables from her own agency.

"Membership has its privileges," she says with a laugh. "This is actually a great help. It supplements my grocery bill."

Whitehead hasn't turned to a food pantry - yet. For Thanksgiving, she'll forgo the traditional meal with all the trimmings for a simple turkey breast and some veggies that she and her mother will share, she says.

She's grateful to have her mother for another year - all the gift she needs.

"If I have the opportunity to give before Christmas," Whitehead says, "I'll give again."

To find one near you

or to make a donation, contact Philabundance at 215-339-0900 or

» READ MORE: www.phil

abundance.org.