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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Monday, November 24, 2008 9:25 PM CST
Catholic Charities urges those who can help to do so

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

MATTOON — Sandy Clark of Catholic Charities has never seen the demand so high on local food pantries.

Last summer, the Catholic Charities food pantry handed out 9,000 pounds of non-perishable food boxes to the needy. It only took two hours to complete the distribution in Mattoon at the Chatlolic Charities building, located along DeWitt Avenue just south of Rural King.

“They stood in line for two hours and the line stretched all the way out to the road. At that point I knew no matter what anyone said about the economy, things were going to get worse,” said Clark.

Catholic Charities works with different organizations, ranging from other food pantries, food banks or church groups from different denominations. CC volunteers

distribute food from 9 to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. And recent weeks have witnessed a doubling in food distributions at the CC facility.

“We see more people all the time. Some are working, but they need help. We handed out 90 boxes here. It used to be 40 to 50 boxes,” Clark said.

What is happening to the working poor is a shift in budget priorities, she said.

“When the gas prices were high, some families decided they could not drive so they concentrated on food. But then the food prices went up. With gasoline prices down, the next thing to hit them will be the first round of high heating bills,” Clark explained.

With layoffs, including some in Coles County recently, Clark said more people need help to feed their families.

She said the local Catholic Charities food pantry has won awards for its efforts to feed the poor. But she worries about the immediate future as more people face hardships during hard times.

“People are going to have to make hard choices. And it is going to get worse this winter,” she said.

She urged those more fortunate to help out food charities with donations of food or money.

“Money donations really help because we can get more out of the money than a donor can. That really helps,” she said.

For more information on Catholic Charities or other private food pantries, call Clark at 235-0420.

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daisy wrote on Nov 24, 2008 6:17 PM:

daisy wrote on Nov 24, 2008 6:20 PM:

" I happen to know many of the people who frequent food pantries and other agencies who help pay bills and provide aid. Many of them aren't plagued by layoffs and job losses that are out of their control........they simply CHOOSE not to work. Here is an innovative idea for those people....GET A JOB! Quit relying on agencies to pay your bills! I have ZERO tolerance for that kind of lifestyle! My husband and I both work, as do our teenaged children, and we struggle every day. I feel no sympathy for people who choose to sit on their lazy butts and do nothing about their circumstances. McDonald's is almost always hiring...and here's a thought...minimum wage is better than no wage at all. Stop relying on the rest of us to pay your bills. Seriously, it's getting old. "

Harry Potter wrote on Nov 24, 2008 6:26 PM:

" Daisy seems like a compassionate person. "

devilishangel61401 wrote on Nov 24, 2008 8:18 PM:

" Daisy I find it admirable that your entire family does work and I am all for people taking personal responsibilty for themselves and doing all they can to better their situation. I have to wonder though, what would you have people do that for some reason are unable to work? Many people who frequent the food pantrys are eldery or unable to work due to a disability, sometimes the disability is not visable to the naked eye it does not mean however the person is capapble of holding gainful employement. I know a few folks on ssi or ssdi sad thing is you're allowed to make very little money before they start taking away the check a disabled person is depending on to make ends meet.

What about those people who are single parents with young children who are too young to work to help contribute to the family income or cannot be left home alone for safety reasons? Many of these people work a minimum wage job sometimes more then one job and the vast majority of their income goes to child care so they can go to work.

When these folks go to their local public aid office they are told "sorry but you make too much income to qualify for assistance." The only hope of having food in the house for these folks are the food pantrys.

Everyone at some point in their life has needed help in some way. There is no shame in needing help nor asking for help. If somone has the means and the desire to contribute to charity then they should do so. If they don't have the means or desire to contribute they should not feel obligated to help either. Giving to charity is a personal choice. I only hope that when those folks who think the answer is as easy as "just get a job" have help avalible to them when they need it. "

VTucker wrote on Nov 24, 2008 10:23 PM:

" Daisy--in those cases where people may not seem to "deserve" assistance, think of their children and how much they need the help. "

Hahvahd wrote on Nov 24, 2008 10:54 PM:

" Devilishangel: well put.

To Daisy: it's hard to pull yourself up by your bootstraps when you have no boots. Why would you be so crass as to try to discourage people from donating to this worthy organization? The "lazy people who won't get a job," as you choose to label them, likely are receiving foodstamps, and while that's not living in luxury, it does put food on the table. However many of those who seek help from agencies like Catholic Charities ARE "getting off their butts and working" -- they are the working poor. Have you seen how much even "dumpy" houses rent for in this area? And if you're reduced to living in one of those over-priced dumps, you can almost bet it's not energy efficient; many who rent those homes pay twice as much or more to Ameren each month than folks who live in the fancy homes in the ritzy subdivisions -- and are often keeping those homes at frigid temperatures.

Your work ethic is admirable; however, you do others a disservice by assuming that anyone needing help must be too lazy to work. Don't judge someone else until you've walked a mile in their shoes. "

medic57 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 1:31 AM:

" daisy

I've spent about 33 of my 51 years working all sorts of jobs, before he passed away, I took care of my father for about 2 years, he really didn't want me working full time so I didn't. As I look back now, that might have been a huge mistake, while I was not working and taking care of my father, I was to find out later that most places won't hire me now because I don't have a work history in the past few years.

Here is an innovative idea, take all of the single mothers, give them part, or even full time jobs at minimum wage so they can lose their aid and then tell them to pay out most of their wages on child care.

I really hope you never have to ask for aid, you might just find it to be very humbling. Ask the people who get food stamps for the first time and go out of town to shop because they are embarassed. You need to count your's while you can, blessings that is. "

avanscyoc wrote on Nov 25, 2008 6:25 AM:

" The comment of dont judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes hit it right on the head!! A couple of years ago my husband and I were both working making decent money, doing well, I was even working two jobs..and loving every second of it. A year ago it all changed..and believe me..when it went, it all went fast!!! I have not been able to work for a year because of physical reasons and my husband has continued to hang in there even tho he is working with a brain tumor!!! I have been to the food pantries a few times and had to have help with our rent and paying our electric bill and other bills..we lost both of our vehicles and have medical bills that we will never ever see the end of..but to look at us you would not be able to tell that anything is wrong with us..I would gladly let anyone live a day in my life with the daily torturous pain that I deal with..or the thought that my husband could have a stroke at any minute or worse because of the tumor in his head..so any time Daisy would like to step off over here and take over...MORE POWER TO HER!!! Or anyone else for that matter. Some of those people that you see have applied for disability..well if you dont have 3 months to live it can take 2 years or more to get on it. Do you think you can live on one income in these times for two years without needing some help at some point? And I am talking about your average Joe..85% of the people in our area.People need to think before they speak and judge others. "

Early Bird wrote on Nov 25, 2008 6:31 AM:

" There will always be those folks out there who milk the system and lack the ambition to do anything on their own, but to lump all of our fellow mankind needing assistance into one category seems to show total ignorance.

Hatefulness and ignorance are to be pitied, not scorned.

No one is being forced into giving. Those who refuse to help anyone will never truly know the joy of giving, and that is sad.

Hats off to those who volunteer at places like the Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army and of course the food banks. As we come to the season of giving, let us all remember those who need a helping hand.

And for Daisy and her fellow misers out there, Bah Humbug! "

Mattooner at Heart wrote on Nov 25, 2008 8:10 AM:

" I guess Daisy just defined "assume" for us, huh? "

Rojo wrote on Nov 25, 2008 8:44 AM:

" Now Medic...I can agree w/you here. You do have a little compassion in you :)
Daisy- I agree w/all the other posts! Me and my husband work and have to young children. We barely qualify for food stamps but we do...and it doesnt make me proud...it doesnt make me happy that I need help. But thats what it is there for...thats why there are guidelines. IF i qualify...im going to get help. Medic was right when he said that ppl go out of town to do shopping bec. they are embarrassed. They are embarrassed bec. of ppl like you who "assume" they dont need help.
Devilsangel....I also agree w/you on the "crappy" rental housing options. The problem is a vast majority of homes here are rented to college students. The leftovers homes renters ask way to much for a family trying to make it w/2 ppl working and 2 small children. I know there are apts.....but the reason I dont want to live in those is exactly what happened on University apts. If I live in a home....than I take responsibilty for my actions...If I live in an apt. I put mine and my childrens lives in someone elses hand who leaves a candle burning or a cig or something that kills me and my family. Or causes us to loose everything we have worked hard for. "

daisy wrote on Nov 25, 2008 2:13 PM:

" Oh my! My comment was soooooo misinterpreted by you all! I was not talking about those who are TRYING or those who cannot work due to circumstances out of their control! I am talking about the ones who CHOOSE not to work because they just don't want to!

Yes, I was a single mother when my children were little, and yes I recieved food stamps and a medical card temporarily while I worked 2 jobs to get myself out of financial crisis.

I am all for helping those in need as long as they are at least TRYING to do something for themselves! The trouble is, I personally know too many people who take advantage of the system, and I am tired of it!

And talk about being judgemental! You all attacked me and my character without even knowing anything about me! I am honestly one of the most compassionate people you will ever meet...unless you are working the system and taking away from people who actually need the help and are TRYING to get on their feet! I absolutely think of the children in those situations, and I feel terrible about that, but I blame parents who don't care enough about their children to make an effort to change their circumstances.

The bottom line is, I was not talking about people who are unable to work due to life circumstances that prevent them from doing so. I was talking about people who prefer to sit on their lazy butts at home in front of their flat screen televisions, and complain that the government and social service agencies just don't pay enough of their bills for them. THAT'S what bothers me!

And just so you know...I do know the joy of helping others. I have done it many, many times for those who truly need the help. "

injustice85 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 2:58 PM:

" simple point: those who can should get their !@#$ together "

tammer65 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 3:29 PM:

" M@H, where have you been? Good to see you back! "

tammer65 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 3:49 PM:

" Daisy, I suppose we "misinterpreted" your posts because in them you claim that "many" of the people who visit food pantries and the like are lazy people who milk the system. I would think that those bilking the system are the exception, not the rule, as your "many" implied. "

shumphreys wrote on Nov 25, 2008 3:50 PM:

" Daisy you have brought up a problem with our welfare system, abuse of the system. It is a subject no one really wants to address, either because it is politically incorrect to do so or because the problem is so complex no one knows where to start. Instead we as a society go round and round, accusing, counter accusing, making attempts to correct that actually make matters worse while ignoring the realities of human nature (some will always find a way to get around the law or abuse the law or use the system for their own benefit). Some who are truly in need are left high and dry, some men forced to abandon families in order for the wives and children to receive aid. Many families are one crises (car or other accident, catastrophic illness, childs birth defect,lost job) away from disaster. So what do we do? Some fight against universal health care that could keep some of these families from disaster. Some "do gooders" and "greedy" bankers/real estate agents put folks into homes they knew they could not afford and could not understand the paperwork they were told to sign but it didn't matter because they got their commission and resold the mortgage and didn't hold the risk. Health and safety regulations have been eviscerated by our government which might have prevented the accidents and health care problems. Environmental protection laws are being over ridden as we speak by Bush, laws that can keep toxic wastes out of drinking water, and unscrupulous builders from building on toxic waste sites......the list goes on and on. And what do we do. Pontificate. "

daisy wrote on Nov 25, 2008 4:24 PM:

" Tammer65: What I said was...many of the people I PERSONALLY know who frequent these places do take advantage....I did not say many of the whole population of needy people. So yes you misinterpreted. If you read it again, I think you will have a better understanding of what I was actually saying. "

Dottedline wrote on Nov 25, 2008 4:49 PM:

" It might be useful for the newspaper and local agencies to do some articles about the process by which people can receive food or other assistance. Do they have to qualify in some way? If anyone can walk in and be given food or other assistance simply by showing up, then Daisy's point may be valid because there will always be people who will take unfair advantage, even of kindness and generosity; if there is a legitimate selection process based on need, then that might ease her mind about those receiving assistance. As she pointed out in her second comment, she is aware of the importance of helping people who are in need. Everyone needs the "milk of human kindness" and we hope that the concept of "pay it forward" also comes into play when one is in better circumstances. Remember, too, that you can't really know what is going on in another person's life.

I hope that people's anger and outrage will be directed at the REAL unfair advantage that is happening right in front of our faces as our nation's wealth is being taken out of our pockets, paychecks, and futures by the current administration to give to people who are wealthy beyond imagination, who are definitely NOT in any need, but whose greed is astounding. "

Mattooner at Heart wrote on Nov 25, 2008 5:22 PM:

" Thank you, tammer65. I've been rather busy being put out to pasture by my company of 21 years and working a couple of other miscellaneous jobs.

I checked in from time to time but for some reason, this particular thread made me decide to come out of the incommunicado I'd exiled myself in. "

Harry Potter wrote on Nov 25, 2008 6:37 PM:

" Daisy's squirming sort of reminds me of another poster who spend days trying to weasel out of his racist Mexican laborer jokes. "

medic57 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 6:55 PM:

" It's pretty pathetic in this country when you HAVE to quit a good paying job and lose everything you have to go on welfare because your child is sick and that is the only way to get your child well because you have no or cannot afford insurance. And how many of you out there wouldn't do just that if your child was sick?

In my life, I have pretty much ran the gauntlet of finances and feelings, I won a decent amount in the Instant Lottery, got married, had children, went through having a sick child that took 2 years to find out what was wrong, had my children abducted and taken into East St. Louis for 12 hours, got divorced and went bankrupt, all within 4 years. But still, life goes on, it's that simple. It's like when people tell me they own a house, car, boat and motorcycle, I usually tell them, they don't really own anything, they're just using them while their here. "

medic57 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 7:57 PM:

" What I said was...many of the people I PERSONALLY know who frequent these places do take advantage.

Daisy

If these people that you personally know are ripping the system on purpose, you sure have a lot of nice friends. "

tammer65 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 8:13 PM:

" Daisy, my dear, your post is at best misleading. You said, twice by the way, "I happen to know many of the people who frequent food banks and other agencies who help pay bills and provide aid. Many of them . . . choose not to work." Your statement implies that you know lots of people receiving help and that of those who get help, many are undeserving. Many was YOUR choice of words, not those who have criticized you. Perhaps you should clarify what you mean by "many" -- two people? ten? twenty? Out of how many who are served by these agencies?

By the way I also happen to know, personally, the director of the food pantry in Charleston, someone who works for Catholic Charities, and someone who volunteers with the Salvation Army. They paint a vastly different picture than your posts do. They relate heart-breaking accounts of decent, hardworking people who through circumstances beyond their control, and after agonizing and delaying coming in until they had no other choice, have turned to agencies for help.

If you know many of the people who seek the help of agencies, and many of those are some sort of con artists too lazy to work, perhaps that says more about the company you keep than it does about the working poor who seek help from these agencies. "

medic57 wrote on Nov 25, 2008 10:05 PM:

" daisy

How could you possibly know that these people do not deserve help? "

daisy wrote on Nov 26, 2008 6:22 AM:

" Hint: These are not people that I hang out with, but I will not say how I know them. I will not waste anymore time trying to explain what I meant in my post...it is obvious you are all too narrow-minded and bent on attacking me to actually see clearly what I am saying. "

shootum wrote on Nov 26, 2008 8:06 AM:

" As long as you also see the other side.Every one knows someone like your people.Most of you can't see because you don'want to look.But my people are not the ones you are talking about. We all know what you are talking about.Now let's see if you can tell the other side and sound sicere??

HIT"EM WHEN THEIR DOWN,KICK"EM IN THE TEETH! "

shootum wrote on Nov 26, 2008 8:13 AM:

" HIT"EM WHEN THEIR DOWN,KICK"EM IN THE TEETTH

If you know them that well and know there ripping off,be honest and turn them in. "

shumphreys wrote on Nov 26, 2008 8:36 AM:

" Daisy go back and reread my earlier post. Not everyone is attacking you, most of the folks here aren't being narrow minded. They see a different side of the issue. There are many reasons why people seek help and there always will be some (just how many no one knows) who will take advantage of the system. Which just means that everyone (who can) has to give even more for those that truly are in need. "

BlueDogDemocrat wrote on Nov 26, 2008 11:02 AM:

" What we are witnessing in this thread is political correctness on steroids.

If anyone DARE broach the subject of corruption and fraud in the welfare system, they are immediately branded a pariah.

Apparently, we taxpayers must never ever question the infinitely-growing leech of give-aways that are permanently feeding on our already dwindling wallets.

So what do we make of the practice of trading EBT food purchases for cash?
I have personally witnessed this practice here in Coles County.

And I have also witnessed these "poor and needy" purchase a cart load of groceries and then pay cash for several cartons of cigarettes and a case of beer, as their numerous kids (from various fathers) run around the store out of control. And I might also add that these "poor and needy" victims (by some extraordinary luck) seemed to have found the means to provide themselves with a multitude of tattoos and piercings, thus ensuring that few if any employers would ever consider their services.

Did I happen to mention that these people drove off in a nice SUV that was only a couple of years old?

And how many "poor and needy" victims frequent the local rent-to-own stores for the necessities of life, like... big screen TV's? More than just a few.

I'm sure all of this is just mere anomalies. This couldn't possibly be happening on a consistent basis could it?

Nah, of course not. Perish that evil thought. "

BlueDogDemocrat wrote on Nov 26, 2008 11:33 AM:

" (There are many reasons why people seek help and there always will be some (just how many no one knows) who will take advantage of the system.)

No one knows how many because "no one" has taken the time and effort to investigate this question. And that "some one" SHOULD be the government. It's called accountability in Government. I know, I know, an oxymoron if there ever was one. Or better yet, how about the media?

(Which just means that everyone (who can) has to give even more for those that truly are in need.)

Wrong. That's a great way to bankrupt the entire system. Pouring more into a leaky bucket is NOT a solution. It's part of the problem.

"When the people find they can vote themselves money,
that will herald the end of the republic." - Benjamin Franklin "

injustice85 wrote on Nov 26, 2008 12:16 PM:

" shumphreys wrote on Nov 26, 2008 8:36 AM:There are many reasons why people seek help and there always will be some (just how many no one knows) who will take advantage of the system. Which just means that everyone (who can) has to give even more for those that truly are in need. "

I really haven't read all the posts but this seems to say it, No matter what that kind of help should always be available to those who need it, a few people might get help when they don't need it but I trust most people are honest enough to get help when they need it and to give when they can and if not...they should "

BlueDogDemocrat wrote on Nov 26, 2008 1:05 PM:

" The prevailing wisdom in here is something to behold:

"There probably is corruption in the welfare system; who knows how wide spread and who knows how much it costs the U.S. taxpayer. But oh well, we should just keep feeding this bureaucratic beast's uncontrollable appetite because we have good intentions."

Welcome to the Obama generation. They're VERY generous...with YOUR money. "

shumphreys wrote on Nov 26, 2008 2:22 PM:

" So Bluedof Democrat how do you determine who is in need and who isn't? "

BlueDogDemocrat wrote on Nov 26, 2008 2:43 PM:

" Speaking of Catholics and charity, I wonder how many of you Catholics are aware of this interesting bit of corruption?

On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, millions of Catholics once again put into their church's collection plate their annual donation to what the pre-printed envelope calls "Campaign for Human Development: The Catholic Church working to end poverty and injustice in America; We'll turn your dollars into hope for the poor of our nation."

The generous Catholics who respond to that well-phrased appeal probably think they are making a Good Samaritan gift to provide necessaries to the down-and-out. Most would probably be shocked to learn that the money donated to the Campaign for Human Development, or CHD, does not go for charity but for radical Obama-style community organizing.

Over the last 10 years, CHD has given 7.3 million Catholic-donated dollars to the Saul Alinsky-style group called ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now). When in 1998 some Catholics complained that CHD grants were not used for Catholic charity but were actually funding groups opposed to church teachings, CHD changed its name to Catholic Campaign for Human Development, or CCHD.

The name change did not redirect the flow of money. In 2007 alone, CCHD increased its support of ACORN, giving it 37 grants totaling $1,037,000.

During 2007 and 2008, ACORN and its affiliated organizations were aggressively registering what it claimed were 1.3 million poor people. ACORN focused on new registrations in the key toss-up states of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida.

More well intentioned cash going to those "poor and needy" folks. Just keep walking people, nothing to see here. "

BlueDogDemocrat wrote on Nov 26, 2008 4:03 PM:

" (So Bluedof Democrat how do you determine who is in need and who isn't?)

Isn't that the government's job, shumphreys? "

medic57 wrote on Nov 26, 2008 6:24 PM:

" There probably is corruption in the welfare system; who knows how wide spread and who knows how much it costs the U.S. taxpayer

How much would it take to start another program like FDR did and give everybody decent jobs? A whole lot less than the bailout has cost, so far it is estimated at $7,000,000,000,000.00 yes, thats 7 trillion dollars. Funny isnt it, they bailout the banks because of forclosures, but the people are still losing their homes. The banks get to keep the bailout money and then resale the homes. "

shumphreys wrote on Nov 26, 2008 7:13 PM:

" Some would say yes. BUT the Bush administration has felt that PRIVATE charities should be enlisted and allowed access to federal funds with as one would suspect few restrictions. Catholic Charities, mentioned here, is a private charity. Our local food banks are private charities. The Salvation Army is a private charity. They are governed by local citizens, probably volunteers, and set their own policies. Should they spend more money on screening out those few who take advantage or put that money into food and clothing and shelter, where it is actually needed? Welfare programs have tightened their screening. BUT since you think they are failing, you should offer some suggestions on what they should do to clean up their act. OR are you one that just likes to spout and complain without any constructive suggestion of what might be done to improve the situation? "

shumphreys wrote on Nov 26, 2008 7:47 PM:

" Medic don't faint but I agree with you. I too would rather see a revision of the CCC and WPA our parks and forests and cities could use the labor. "

injustice85 wrote on Nov 28, 2008 5:08 PM:

" BlueDogDemocrat wrote on Nov 26, 2008 1:05 PM:

" The prevailing wisdom in here is something to behold:

"There probably is corruption in the welfare system; who knows how wide spread and who knows how much it costs the U.S. taxpayer. But oh well, we should just keep feeding this bureaucratic beast's uncontrollable appetite because we have good intentions."

Welcome to the Obama generation. They're VERY generous...with YOUR money. "

The Obama generation has nothing to do with our money yet "

shumphreys wrote on Nov 29, 2008 9:35 AM:

" Well said Injustice85. When you have very little income, the government has little to take. "

BlueDogDemocrat wrote on Dec 1, 2008 9:17 AM:

" (The Obama generation has nothing to do with our money yet)

Tell that to the Catholics whose donations to the poor through "Campaign for Human Development" went to this corrupt Obama voter registration effort:

During 2007 and 2008, ACORN and its affiliated organizations were aggressively registering what it claimed were 1.3 million poor people. ACORN focused on new registrations in the key toss-up states of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida. "

medic57 wrote on Dec 5, 2008 2:33 AM:

" You take that $7,000,000,000,000.00 and create jobs with it instead of giving it to big businesses and you'll see the economy explode upwards. Of course, big business doesn't want to see that. "

medic57 wrote on Dec 7, 2008 8:36 AM:

" shumphries

Medic don't faint but I agree with you.

I have a few good ideas, and I think you might have had a couple over the years also. :) "