Developments over the past few weeks have offered some hope that the country’s position in the eurozone is secure, that the worst is now over and that new austerity measures will not be needed to put Greece back on an even keel.

But the three-year crisis has left deep scars on the body of society, leaving thousands out of work and plunging them into poverty. The worst off are those who have seen their incomes disappear entirely and, together with their families, must rely on the kindness of strangers, feeding themselves at soup kitchens and clothing themselves in the castoffs of others.

We can’t always tell who these people are, but they are often our next door neighbors.

The people who still have the means to be that kind stranger need to step up, not to save their souls, but to provide some comfort to their fellow man. Charity and humanity are the traits of a civilized society. Times such as these drive the message home, but thoughts are worthless unless they are put into action.