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The Great Depression was one of the toughest periods in history. Families across the globe struggled to put food on the table. In the United States, one in every four men faced unemployment, and those who remained employed saw their wages slashed. The situation was similarly dire in most parts of the world.
However, not every tale from the Great Depression is filled with sorrow. Amidst the most challenging times, people came together to support one another. Those with something to give shared it with those in need, leading to some of the most uplifting stories to emerge from one of the darkest eras in history.
10. An Unknown Benefactor Placed an Ad Offering Christmas Money to Those in Need
Just before Christmas in 1933, an ad appeared in an Ohio newspaper. It was a message from an anonymous benefactor offering help to anyone who was struggling: “If you’re in trouble, write me.”
Over 100 people responded to the ad, each sharing their needs with the mysterious stranger. One letter read, “I am a 14-year-old girl. I am writing because I need clothes, and sometimes we don’t have enough food.”
Each letter contained a different request. Regardless of what they asked for, the mystery man provided exactly what they needed. As promised, he made sure that everyone had what they required to “have a merry and joyful Christmas.”
The mystery man never sought recognition for his actions, and his identity remained a secret until his passing. It was only after his death that it was revealed he was Sam Stone. When his grandson went through his belongings, he discovered over 150 letters from people across Ohio, each sharing a unique story.
9. Milton Hershey Replaced a Steam Shovel with 40 Jobs
During the Great Depression, Milton Hershey launched a large-scale construction project he named “The Great Building Campaign.” He constructed a high school, sports arena, community center, and a grand hotel in Pennsylvania, all with the goal of providing employment for local residents.
“We have about 600 construction workers in this town,” he remarked. “If I don’t give them work, I’ll have to feed them.”
From a business perspective, it may have seemed like a savvy decision. Construction materials and labor were more affordable than ever, making it a practical time to invest in building projects.
However, as one well-known tale from the project illustrates, he didn’t always opt for the least expensive option. While constructing a hotel, a foreman informed Hershey that a steam shovel being used could replace 40 workers.
“Get rid of the steam shovel,” Hershey replied, “and bring back the 40 men.”
8. Flour Manufacturers Redesigned Their Bags to Double as Clothing Fabric
Many families were so destitute during the Great Depression that mothers had to sew clothes using feed sacks and flour bags.
The struggle wasn't limited to just the poorest families. It’s estimated that million women and children were walking around in flour sacks. The trend became so widespread that women began organizing national sewing contests where they could display their feedbag dresses.
When the flour companies realized the extent of the trend, they decided to redesign their bags to offer these families a bit more dignity. They began printing colorful patterns on their cotton sacks, allowing women to make more attractive clothing for their families. Some even included cutout patterns and guides for creating stuffed animals.
While profit was certainly a factor, the companies didn’t exploit this trend for advertisement. Instead, they began printing their logos in washable ink, with instructions on how to remove the branding and repurpose the bags into something beautiful.
7. Canadian Prime Minister R.B. Bennett Sent Money to Anyone Who Requested It
R.B. Bennett served as Canada’s prime minister throughout much of the Great Depression, and by most accounts, he wasn’t particularly effective in the role. He tried to introduce a version of Roosevelt’s New Deal in Canada, but the results were disastrous.
Despite his struggles as a leader, Bennett was known for his personal kindness. He made it a point to send money to anyone who asked for it. Between 1927 and 1937, he gave away a total of $2.3 million.
Bennett was willing to provide whatever people needed. As word spread that a letter to him would result in financial help, requests grew. He sent a young boy a red wagon for Christmas, assisted a woman with her mortgage, and even sent a man several pairs of underwear when his wife complained that his were full of holes.
6. Australian Prime Minister James Scullin Put The Lodge Up for Rent
When James Scullin became Australia’s prime minister, he was expected to move into the grand and newly built mansion known as The Lodge. Designed to be the official residence of the country's leader, Scullin refused to take up residence there.
He felt uncomfortable with the idea of living in a mansion while his fellow citizens were struggling with poverty. Scullin had opposed the mansion's construction from the start, arguing that building such an expensive estate for the prime minister was a waste of public funds.
True to his principles, Scullin and his wife refused to move into the mansion during his time in office. He was determined not to let the costs of maintaining the property drain the nation’s finances. He even attempted to generate income for the country by renting out the mansion, but during the Great Depression, no one could afford it.
Despite this, Scullin never moved into The Lodge. Throughout his tenure, he and his wife continued to live in a hotel instead.
5. Teachers in Chicago Contributed Part of Their Salaries to Feed Their Students
Teachers were hit hard by the Great Depression. Their already modest salaries took another hit as the country struggled financially. Despite this, their dedication to their students remained unshaken.
In New York, teachers began setting aside part of their own wages to ensure their students had enough food. Before the government had established free or reduced-price lunch programs, the teachers took matters into their own hands, preparing breakfasts for children who were going without. By 1931, they were feeding 11,000 students each morning before school.
In Chicago, teachers sacrificed portions of their already limited salaries to buy clothes and food for their students. Altogether, the teachers contributed over $112,000 to ensure their pupils had basic necessities like clothing.
“We were determined on one thing: We were not going to hurt the children,” one teacher said, explaining why she sacrificed so much of her income. “We went on teaching whether we were paid or not.”
4. Librarians Rode Through Appalachia Giving Out Books
In 1930, less than one-third of Kentucky’s population could read, which was a serious challenge, especially during the Great Depression. Without literacy, it was almost impossible for many to improve their circumstances and move forward in life.
To combat this, the Pack Horse Library was established with the goal of bringing education to the people. Miniature libraries were set up in local churches and post offices to make books more accessible. To reach those in remote areas, librarians took to the hills and valleys on horseback, delivering books directly to the impoverished.
“’Bring me a book to read’ is the cry of every child as he runs to meet the librarian,” one librarian recalled, sharing his experiences of delivering books. “Not a specific book, just any book. The child has read none of them.”
By 1936, the program had expanded significantly, reaching 50,000 families across Appalachia with free books. By 1937, their efforts also contributed to the establishment of 155 new public schools.
3. A Tribe In Cameroon Sent Relief Money To New York
In 1931, news of America’s struggles reached the Bulu tribe in Cameroon. They read about the widespread hunger in a newspaper article that stated, “There are actually people in America who do not have enough to eat.” This deeply moved them, and they decided to take action.
Although the Bulu had little to spare, they understood the hardship of not having enough food. They organized a fundraising effort within their tribe and collected all the money they could. In total, they gathered $3.77, which, for them, represented nearly everything they had.
Members of the tribe amazed their local missionaries by bringing the small amount of money they had raised and asking them to send it to America to help feed the starving families there.
The missionaries were deeply moved by the tribe's generosity. They forwarded the money to the New York Relief Fund, just as the Bulu had asked.
While the money itself may not have been enough to change anyone’s circumstances, the story certainly did. Newspapers across the country picked up the tale of the Bulu tribe’s donation. Their selfless act sparked a wave of charitable giving that inspired the nation during its darkest days.
2. Musicians In Chicago Started A Band To Play Free Concerts
Even amidst the Great Depression, people needed more than just basic sustenance. They craved something that could provide them with happiness—a reason to keep going through the hardships.
The Chicago Band Association was driven by the belief that people needed more than just sustenance. They approached the city government with an idea to create a band that would put on free concerts, offering the people “something more to look forward to than just bread.”
Not only did the city agree, but they also constructed a venue for the performances. By 1935, the musicians were regularly performing symphonic concerts in Grant Park. Anyone who wished could simply walk into the park and enjoy a classical symphony without paying a cent.
Over time, the concerts transformed into what is now known as the Grant Park Music Festival. While the concerts are no longer free, the festival continues to this day.
1. Cities Gave Unemployed Families Land For Urban Gardens
During the Great Depression, one of the biggest obstacles was pride. Soup kitchens existed across the country, providing hot meals, but many men would rather starve than be seen standing in line begging for food.
Some cities found ways around this issue. Iowa, for example, tackled it by offering land to unemployed men and women who were struggling to find food. They gave out plots of land along with seeds to grow crops. To ensure it didn’t feel like a charity, they made it clear that the land would belong to those individuals as long as they were willing to work it.
Iowa’s statewide program wasn’t unique. In Gary, Indiana, 20,000 gardens flourished throughout the city. Seattle dedicated 450 acres of land specifically for community gardens.
The community rallied together, too. Local school teachers volunteered their time to teach people how to harvest their crops and preserve the produce by canning it in jars.
