My cherished mentor, the late Edna Jost, had a cure for feelings of disappointment that came her way. She overcame bitterness by practicing what she called the “three day rule.” Here’s how it went. She got angry. She got over it. She then did something for someone in need.

Pam Rainey

In doing so, she explained, she made someone else’s life better and then felt better herself. It was not uncommon for her to deliver a warm, freshly baked cake to one who was down on his luck or who needed a little human kindness. As a matter of fact, her cure for the blues worked so well for her that she practiced being kind to others until her own health failed.

Finding someone in need or a cause that interests you might make you feel better, whether you are down and out, or simply tired of the long, hot, dry summer we are having in Denton.

You won’t have to look far to find needy folks around and about. According to the United States Conference of Mayors in 2006, requests for emergency food assistance increased an average of 7 percent in the United States.

The Denton Community Food Center, located at 109 W. Sycamore St. across from the Wells Fargo drive-through branch, is in need of non-perishable items. They are especially in need of canned fruit and volunteers to sort food. You can reach them at 940-382-0807.

Christ the Servant Lutheran Church will have its ninth annual Empty Bowls Luncheon and Silent Auction from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25. Proceeds will go to feed the hungry.

The Denton school district estimates that, for the current school year, nearly 40 percent of children enrolled in the district meet federal poverty guidelines for assistance. That translates into about 8,000 children who may lack proper school clothes or school supplies. I am shocked and saddened by that number, and I feel a bit overwhelmed. But I’m convinced there are enough good people in our town to help these children.

Why not try the Edna rule? — whether or not you are feeling blue. You can never go wrong doing something right for someone else, and you don’t even have to heat up your kitchen to bake a cake. There are dozens of ways to help others in our community, and you don’t have to look very far.

Interfaith Ministries of Denton Inc., a coalition of 24 area faith-based affiliates, sponsors the Apple Tree/Back to School Project. The project helps children in need receive assistance with school supplies, two sets of new clothing and a pair of new shoes.

This project makes an annual estimated economic impact of more than $100,000 on our community.

In 2007, 779 children received assistance through the project. The goal for the year is to provide at least 850 children with school essentials. In doing so, it will reduce hardship on families by providing children who are economically disadvantaged with essential items to start off the school year on a competitive level with their peers.

Here’s how you can help. You can host an Apple Tree, adopt an Apple or volunteer to take applications or more. Call Interfaith Ministries at 940-566-5927 or visit them online at www.ifmdenton.org.

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I search for creative note cards to send to friends and recently I ran across a package of adorable cards I could not resist. The artwork featured on the front of the card is a colored pencil drawing by Dick Kiracofe, a resident at Denton Good Samaritan Society — Denton Village. The artwork features “Houses of Worship” that Dick drew, and he and his wife Jean have visited. Two are in the area, the Little Chapel-in-the-Woods at Texas Woman’s University in Denton and a chapel in Aubrey. Dick and Jean, who have won several awards, display their artwork at Good Samaritan and generously gave Good Samaritan Village reproduction rights for fund raising efforts. If you would like to purchase the cards, call Good Samaritan Society at 940-383-2631 or visit their Web site at www.good-sam.com.

PAM RAINEY is a Realtor with the Real T Team and Cami & Associates. Previously she was the development director for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Denton County and she currently serves on several local boards and as a community volunteer. You can reach her at rpmrny@cs.com regarding community news or call 940-367-1188.