In eastern Wake County, local real estate agents are organizing a tour of foreclosed properties to give potential buyers a look at the good deals that exist in the wake of other people’s misfortune.

Meanwhile, local food pantries are seeing the demand for their services rise as more people turn to others for help during these difficult times.

Now, more than ever, we have a great need for human service agencies to perform at their peak.

Most of us look to government to provide the ultimate safety net, and government has stepped into the gap in unprecedented ways in the past six months to address needs at the federal, state and local levels.

But we can’t depend on government to manage this crisis on its own.

Private entities, like the real estate companies and the churches that operate food pantries, are doing their part to restart the economy or to help people keep food on the table.

Those groups are to be commended. But there is so much more we can do to help each other during difficult times.

We can do simple things that don’t cost a lot of money or take a lot of time, but meet a critical need. Here are just a few ideas.

•Give rides to people who need transportation to begin their job search.

•Offer to baby-sit children while a parent is working and do it for free.

•Volunteer your time or other resources to help keep the shelves of local food pantries properly stocked.

•Put your professional skills to work on a pro bono basis where it will help people struggling to meet their obligations.

•Turn to a local charity you already support and make an extra donation this year.

At some point today’s miserable economy will be a chapter in the school history books.

Until that time, we are all responsible for lifting each other as we try to keep our collective heads above water.

Find a way to do your part.