Greensburg — It’s November and Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

Taking the time to think about the many things you have to be thankful for is a rewarding task. Most of us can easily begin the list with family, friends, a home, food, and warm clothing, but there are many throughout the United States, and in our own community, that cannot take these core needs for granted.

National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week is November 10 - 18, 2012. More information on hunger and homelessness can be found on the National Coalition for the Homeless website - www.nationalhomeless.org.

Another very interesting web site — www.spotlightonpoverty.org — lists the poverty rates for Indiana. According to this website 23% of children, 11% of people over age 65, and 17% of women live in poverty. Sadly, 13.2 percent of Indiana families live with food insecurity when the food available to household members is reduced during the year because the household lacks money and other resources for food. Indiana has an overall poverty rate of 16 percent and 7.9 percent live in extreme poverty.

While you may not be able to combat hunger and homelessness throughout Indiana, there are opportunities to do so in your own hometown. The Greensburg Community Bread of Life located at 700 E Randall St. accepts donations of money, time and food. According to their website — www.greensburgbreadoflife.com — $50 will provide 125 meals to the hungry right here in this community. For more information on donations and volunteering, call 812-663-1055.

The Bread of Life serves a free, nutritious hot meal on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday (September-May) from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. either by dining-in, carry-out or delivery. The delivery route is for those that are shut-in, disabled, or have no car or gas money.

Human Services is another location for people to get help with food needs. They are located at 1939 N. Carver St., Suite C and their phone number is 663-8830. Human Services provides Decatur County residents with meats, dairy products, canned goods, toiletries, etc. They are open on Mondays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Adults must provide a photo ID and will be allowed to “shop” the pantry’s shelves 2 times per month for foods that their family will enjoy. Each individual or family will be given an amount of food based on age and family size. Human Services serves 45 to 70 families at each food distribution and strives to put food into each household to eliminate food insecurity. You may donate food items, including dairy and meats to Human Services or, if you prefer, they will accept cash and check donations.

Another organization that provides for the Decatur County community is the Greensburg Daily News Cheer Fund. This volunteer organization was started over 100 years ago and provides toys, clothing certificates, and food to less fortunate families with children. Applications and more information for the Cheer Fund can be obtained through the Greensburg Daily News and online at www.cheerfund.org.

The Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library also serves the community by providing free internet access daily.

This internet access is vital to those who need to search for a job, take a class, search databases and connect with the world. The Library is a community gathering place with meeting rooms and space to study, read and learn. Your Library provides the latest best sellers, magazines, music and other items for adults, teens and kids. The Library also provides programming and events for you and your family to participate in.

One current program is the Heroes’ Tree Project. In celebration of veterans in our community, the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library is participating in the Our Heroes Tree project — www.ourheroestree.com. This program honors past and present service members and their families. You can participate by placing an ornament on the Library’s Hero Tree in honor of a service member. You may bring an ornament from home or make one at the Library. The tree will be displayed through Nov. 21. You can also bring in a story about the service member to be placed in a binder near the tree for others to read and/or bring a photo of your service member for us to scan and display on the Library TV.

Additionally, the Library will also support the Cheer Fund by collecting new or nearly new books from Dec. 1 through 14 for distribution with the toys and other items.

For more information about programs and services provided by the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library, please visit us at 1110 E. Main St., online at www.greensburglibrary.org or by phone at 812-663-2826.