Charities can't keep up with deepening poverty

[babylonsister]

Charities can't keep up with deepening poverty

Need is being felt in the white-collar workforce, with the souring economy upending professionals who were once considered reliable donors to charities.

By Duke Helfand
November 27, 2008


Catholic Charities of Orange County assembled Thanksgiving dinners for 500 families this week, filling plastic bags with frozen turkeys, cranberry sauce and other fixings. But word of the free food attracted 920 families, many of whom left empty-handed when the Santa Ana agency doled out the goods.

"There were tears in our eyes as we had to turn people away," said executive director Terrie Montminy, who referred families elsewhere for food or invited them back the next day for smaller packages.

Charities across the country are facing the same stress this year as their busiest season approaches. Aid organizations are hobbled by dwindling resources and soaring demands for food, clothing, money and other necessities.

And it's not only the desperately poor who are banging on their doors.

The web of poverty is expanding into the white-collar workforce, with the souring economy upending professionals who were once considered reliable contributors. The director of one Phoenix charity, for instance, says that some of his donors have become his clients.


more...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-charity27-2008nov27,0,6792739.story

[undeterred]

1. The web of poverty is expanding

and sooner or later everyone will be caught in it.

[CrispyQ]

2. On a happier note,

last night I stuffed a bill in the Salvation Army pot & it was so full the bell ringer stuck a nail file in to pat the money down. He told me that he had never seen so many people give as they did yesterday. I live in a fairly affluent area, that, so far, has not been hit too hard, so it was nice to hear that people are acting on the knowledge that we are some of the fortunate ones.

Also, the food bank box was heaped like a mountain, way over the top of the box.

[babylonsister]

3. Thank you; that is a happier note! nt

[Cleita]

4. This is why we need social programs run by the government to help out

those in need. Charities can't meet the need in dire economic times.