Imitate the spirit of sharing from Granite City.

Some volunteers I saw were busy loading bottles of milk, meat and vegetables into the walking basket, as I see when shopping at a supermarket, in Jakarta.. There's also that-because he's old, I've been for about sixty years-just sitting and taking down the expenses and receiving the incoming goods. Yes, it seems he is in charge of the bookkeeping department. In the corner I watched a grandmother sitting on a lounger waiting for her name to be called. The atmosphere in the room measuring 4X6 meters was like a queue at the Public Service. A few moments later, the name of the grandmother was called, and the volunteer came up with a basket full of various food needs for the grandmother.

When I turned, there was a 5 pound rice, bread, processed meat/fish like sardines, vegetables, and fruits and some bottles of liquid milk, all in the basket. I'm afraid, the super-complete foods - that's enough for one week ahead. Luckily, I can freely observe the activities in this 'department store' because in the schedule #IVLP today, one of the activities listed in my agenda is as a volunteer. My job is to help them pack and sort things out.

Who are they and why am I labeling a 'department store'? Here's the story. In my trip to the United States, in March 2016, ago. I had the opportunity to visit an area on the edge of the state of Illinois, in Granite City, bordering St. Louis. Here, there is a local social organization called Granite City Community Care Center, Inc. The institute specifically caters to marginalized, social troublemakers, such as the homeless, as well as the poor families around Granite City. No less than 3000 people per month can be served Center or about 100 people per day who regularly came to this 'department store'.

The Center itself is like a department store that provides a variety of necessities of life for the poor in vicinity. And everything is given free or free. A wide variety of food, drink and live furnishings are available and complete. There is a large warehouse that is specially prepared to accommodate diverse necessities of life, ranging from clothing to all ages, from children to the elderly with a variety of modes for all seasons, even toys are available. Center itself has an office together with a warehouse to store various needs of citizens, both clothing and food.

To accommodate thousands of clothing donated by residents, the Center prepared a kind of 'boutique' on the top floor of an area of ​​approximately 200 square meters. The clothes-apparently still worthy of use, may be used only once or even have never been worn at all-, sorted by type, size, and designation. There are summer outfits, there are also clothes for winter. Also, separating clothes, both for children and adults. And of course, men and women's clothing.

Besides, food needs are also provided. The supply of food was obtained in addition to donations from donors in the form of food, as well as donations in the form of money bought in the form of food. To accommodate and store all the food, the Center prepares several refrigerators (refrigerator) or cold storage as the size of a large wardrobe. Various processed ingredients such as meat, fruits, vegetables and milk into the refrigerator.

Those who come to the Center are the poor who live nearby, not even that, some are coming from the next area. I was surprised when I saw those who came mostly driving. However, my rushing companion explained that car ownership is not something fancy in America. Because the car has such a primary needs for most Americans, such as the ownership of motor vehicles for the poor in Jakarta. Here, the rich and poor indicators are not determined by car ownership, but the extent to which they can live independently to make ends meet.

To get help from the Center, they are recorded by volunteers and given a kind of social security card. On the card was recorded the names of family members. Although the impression of "wow" and royalty in giving (charity) is seen in this Center, unfortunately, the value of this policy, whether consciously or not, will make them (spouses of social problems) become spoiled and lulled by the ease of obtaining assistance in the form of goods or food, which is indeed abundant. It seems that the policy came out of the grip that I believe this is better teaching fishing than fishing. However, the Center may have its own consideration. And, it may be that those people who are helped are really citizens who should always be helped like elderly parents who disable to work anymore.

The spirit of sharing is indeed one of the strengths of Americans. They do not hesitate to help someone who really needs help. This spirit seems to be fading and difficult to implement in Jakarta. Either, perhaps because the level of care of the citizens of the city is less or it could be no one who can move and to organize the potential that exists in the community. And the model of social institution such 'department store' like Granite City Community Care Center, inc this when applied in our environment will be super power magnitude. Hopefully!