Based on recent media reports, life may be a bit leaner this year for the holiday season. There have been job losses; profit margins are just that, marginal; employers are watching every cost, and practising efficiencies everywhere possible. The safety nets are out.

This news is not new, nor of any comfort to a family that may be struggling to make ends meet. They may have had to, in some cases for the first time ever, seek help from one or more of the humanitarian agencies operating in Bermuda.

The rest of us may not be so affected; in fact, some of us may never have felt the constant neediness and humiliation of poverty. We are incredibly lucky.

There, but for a birth accident and the grace of a higher power, go all of us.

We can still buy our creature comforts, although possibly not in the same volume or value as in previous extravaganza years. This, too, will pass, you think. Once the recession is over, the gravy train will be back is the prevailing thought. Maybe yes, maybe no. We cannot predict the future. We can, however, help those who without basic needs as food, lodging and healthcare, will have no future.

They have participated in disaster relief efforts for more than 100 years; they believe in economic justice, providing comfort and support in times of need; in the United States alone, last year they served 69 million free meals; here at home, their meal service is up as well; they are ardent campaigners against international human trafficking and slavery; they believe in God's work by showing their commitment to practice what they preach and live the life.

Who are they? The Salvation Army, who believe that all people are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and that we are to "love our neighbour as ourselves" (Matthew 22:39).

We believe in the sacred freedom and dignity of persons and are committed to the redemption of the world in all its dimensions (physical, spiritual, social, economic and political). We believe that, as God's children, we are called to exercise a clear priority for the least among us (Matthew 25: 31-46). (Source: Salvation Army website).

There are so many more altruistic and incredibly caring souls among us, who have given their career years to the care of others. Some of our own teachers who have dipped into their own pockets to buy breakfast for children with none.

The LCCA; the Coalition for the Protection of Children; the Sunshine League Children's Home, numerous other volunteers and organisations.

There are many more invisible ordinary citizens who have achieved great personal success who help anonymously and willingly. All of these wonderful people have prioritised community service above personal success.

These are the people who deserve our gratitude this year. They are our true heroes.

Sharing the Abundance of Privilege - taking a line from the HuffingtonPost - the challenge to all those who can afford to help this year, is to do so. If you have never given before, show compassion and caring for your fellow Bermuda resident who may have had to take a step backward in the quest to 'get ahead' in life. Think of the power of compassion.

If every person in our workforce of 37,000 people gave $5 (the cost of two bags of chips), that's $185,000. Giving $10 equals $370,000 and a mere $20 - which is less than the cost of lunch out - translates unto almost three-quarters ($740,000) of a million dollars. That's a lot of meals.

Imagine how much it could be if all of us who are considering plunking down $100 for a special pair of heels, or a night out, instead added that fleeing memory to the community pot. In addition to that, buy something each week for the food baskets that has nutritional power punch.

We can do this, as a community we always have. Let's not get too self-satisfied either. You never know when you might need a helping hand.