Esbee's post this morning about the effects of job losses and potential job losses on families cuts to the core.  The essential question: how do you reassure your kids whose parents have lost their jobs or whose friends' parents have lost their jobs?  It's the third comment on her post that got to me, and I think it's important enough that I'm sharing it below:

We are noticing an increase in students that are becoming homeless due to job cuts and layoffs. It is heart breaking to know that some of my students don't know where they will stay tonight. They don't know what or if they will eat. I do what I can by having snacks in the classroom, but I can only do so much. A pack of "nabs" isn't going to fill an empty belly. 
Please donate to your child's school's fund for these kids. We really need it now more than ever. The social workers have a fund set up just for such kids. Teachers reccomend them anonymously and the social worker offers aid to the family/student. Parent's can also go to the school to ask for help.

According to this recent story in the Winston-Salem Journal 47.7% of the kids in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School System qualify for free and reduced lunches and that percentage is expected to rise.  Many of us are struggling to make ends meet, but if you have a spare dime please remember the kids.