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Rappahannock United Way taps reserves to help newly poor in the Fredericksburg area
BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE
A new group of people is showing up at regional agencies. Desperate, they crowd the social services departments' waiting rooms. They often burst into tears at food banks and pantries, and--in crisis for the first time--demand immediate attention of homeless programs and shelters or the Central Virginia Housing Coalition. Broke and out of options, the newly poor aren't finding many avenues for help. Aid programs set up to help the poor typically start after evictions and foreclosures and well into the pit of poverty. The Rappahannock United Way recently stepped up with $85,000 for these newly struggling families. "We decided we need to do something. We need to make a new program," said Sarah Walsh, community development coordinator. "We really want to make sure hardworking families who don't qualify for other community services, due to their income being too high, have somewhere to turn for help," she said. The Salvation Army will screen applicants for the new United Way grants, and leaders there said it won't be hard to give out the money. Many of the newly poor have recently lost their jobs, fallen behind on mortgages or lost health insurance coverage. They need help, but many rules governing social services programs don't allow help until things grow even more desperate. Most of the new people showing up for food stamps and other welfare programs don't qualify, said directors of Fredericksburg-area departments of social services. Most foreclosure-assistance programs don't come into play until the foreclosure notice is delivered. At that point, people struggling to pay mortgages have little hope of keeping their homes. The United Way grants would help those completely new to area charities. The money would help pay for housing, food, utilities and transportation. "We really tried to keep it to just those basic survival needs," Walsh said. The money will tap the Rappahannock United Way's reserve funds, capital never before used for such an emergency. "Agencies are seeing a huge increase in people asking for help," Walsh said. "They're still serving the people they've always been serving, but they were also--across the board--getting requests from people who've never had to ask for help before." Amy Flowers Umble: 540/735-1973
Date published: 2/17/2009
We donate all the time & it is a worthwhile cause. Donating is
so much better when not forced upon you.
Mandrake - Good call! Please, everyone should donate as much as they can (money, food, clothing, etc.). These are tough times and we should help out our fellow man.
2 organizations mentioned, especially the Salvation Army.
In King George you can also write a check or give cash and
food at the Department of Social Services on Rt3.
Now is the time to step up. Also, don't forget that your
contributions are tax deductible.
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