As the country's economy continues to struggle, thousands upon
thousands of men, women, and children, find themselves in need of
even the most basic of things to survive. More than 3.5 million
people are currently homeless, with a shocking 39% of those being
children. Even more alarming is the fact that every year at least
60% of new cases of homelessness are single mothers and their
children.
The 2001 survey of 25 cities by the US Conference of Mayors
reported a 19% increase in requests for emergency food with the
requests for food having increased by 17% for families and 19%
for seniors. The survey also found that 48% of all people
requesting emergency food were families with children, with 38%
of all requests coming from people who were employed at the time.
Despite the efforts of food pantries, homeless shelters, soup
kitchens, and the like, hunger continues to increase at an
alarming rate in our land of the free and the brave. According to
America's Second Harvest, a group dedicated to ending hunger and
starvation, one in every four people in food lines is a child.
Providers of emergency food supplies such as the food pantries
and soup kitchens report an increase in demand by 30-50% over the
past three years. Talk to any of them and they will tell you they
see a rise in the number of people needing their help virtually
on a monthly basis.
Beyond those of our citizens living on the streets and suffering
from a persistent state of hunger, millions more live at or below
the poverty level. Between 2000 and 2001 alone, poverty rose to
11.7% of the population or 32.9 million, up from 31.6 million.
Imagine, at least an additional one million people a year join
the ranks of the poorest among us. As employment rates increase
and costs of living ramp up from one year to the next, it is
expected that the number of our citizens living in poverty will
continue to increase at alarming rates.
Even more sobering than all of these statistics is the fact that
as need grows, many resources dedicated to addressing those needs
experience drastic cuts. More than 35 states have made cuts in
programs offering food stamps, housing assistance and the like.
President Bush's January 2005 budget included marked reductions
in food stamp and similar other social assistance programs.
Without a doubt, the level of need in this great country has
reached a staggering level with no end in site. Indeed, most
industry experts will tell you they predict the problem worsening
for many years to come. Lest we feel overwhelmed and paralyzed by
these bleak numbers, know that there are many great resources in
our cities and towns that are dedicating efforts toward
addressing the need and helping folks in any way they can. As you
might imagine, there never seems to be enough help to go around.
That's where you come in! Regardless of the size, degree, or
timing of your contribution, know that it will make a difference
in someone's life.
Inexpensive And Powerful Ways To Help
Conduct an online search of the various types of social service
agencies in your community. Type a list of shelters, soup
kitchens, food banks, and similar other resource centers. Include
telephone numbers and addresses along with general directions or
cross-street locations. Keep several copies of the list in your
vehicle's glove compartment and distribute to panhandlers or
other people in similar need. Oftentimes people who need
resources are not necessarily aware of them.
Opening Your Eyes And Heart
While driving through downtown one sunny afternoon last summer I
noticed a young woman standing next to her car that apparently
had a flat tire. She was bouncing a child on her hip that looked
to be no more than eight to ten months old. I figured that since
we were downtown and there were lots of people around it would be
safe for me to pull over to see if I might be able to help.
I've never changed a tire in my life, so I wouldn't be much help
in that regard but perhaps she could use my cell phone to call
someone, or at the very least I could offer to hold her baby
while she changed the tire. Nothing is ever at it seems, is it?
While one of the car's tires was indeed flat that was the least
of the lady's worries. Apparently, the young woman and her baby
had been evicted from her apartment the week before (her ex had
demolished the place and was now nowhere to be found). Without
any family in the area or friends who could take her in, she was
grateful to at least have the car. She was able to use my phone
to call a friend who would come help her with the flat tire;
however it was with another matter entirely that I would prove to
be most helpful. As we chatted while waiting for her friend I
learned she had run out of diapers for the baby a few days prior
and was using old t-shirts instead. This resulted in a nasty
diaper rash that was really bothering the baby.
Being familiar with the city's various resources I was able to
give the woman directions to a soup kitchen where her and her
baby would not only be able to eat but would also find a supply
of diapers and diaper rash ointment as well as the locations of
some shelters she might be able to utilize. The lady was so
grateful, particularly for her baby's sake. Since the friend had
not yet arrived I volunteered to go to the nearest store to pick
up a package of diapers and a tube of ointment. Imagine, I stop
my car thinking someone might appreciate using my cell phone and
in the process end up helping a woman and her child who were new
to life on the streets. In this case the usage of my phone would
have been a big help – use caution when choosing to offer a
helping hand in this manner – your safety is paramount! The
diaper resource was an added bonus. Had I not been able to
purchase the diapers that day, the fact that I was able to tell
her where to do to find some proved just as critical. Become
familiar with resources in your area so that you too can refer
people in their time of need.
"Tommy"
'Tommy' is an 18 year old male who left a physically violent home
at the age of 14 for life on the streets. The first time I met
him he was talking about a job-interview he had the following day
and that while this was a great opportunity for him he was not at
all excited. As we got to talking 'Tommy' confided the shelter
where he normally took showers was all out of disposable razors
and he was upset he would not be able to get clean shaven for the
interview.
Some people may read this and think that having a shave was the
least of 'Tommy's' worries and that he should be more focused on
performing well during the interview. Regardless, the fact was
'Tommy' was preoccupied and overly anxious about this one detail.
When I asked him what difference shaving would make, 'Tommy'
stated he would feel more presentable and more confident in his
approach to the interview. Off to a discount store I went, where
you can purchase 10 disposable razors for .88 cents or less. For
.8 cents I was able to get 'Tommy' the razor that he was
convinced he needed. Sure enough, 'Tommy' landed the job. Yes, I
know you are saying there is no way I can prove the razor was the
reason he was offered the job. But what I do know is this. The
razor helped 'Tommy' prepare and approach the interview with
confidence, and it was the best .8 cents I have spent in a long,
long time.
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