Sunday, November 22, 2009
Charity's needs outpace resources
Good Neighbors Fund
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"This year has been like a roller coaster," said Debbie Denison, executive director of Roanoke Area Ministries. "It's been a struggle to meet operating expenses. Everything has gone up."
Like many charities, RAM is feeling the brunt of the biggest economic downturn since the Great Depression. The investments and the gifts from longtime donors that allowed Denison to pay all of the agency's bills at the beginning of the month are down.
"It's been a huge decline," she said.
These days, she finds herself in the same position as many of RAM's applicants for aid -- the bills are paid when they're due, and not a moment sooner.
"We try to take it one day at a time," she said.
To add insult to injury, "nearly every member of the staff has had some kind of crisis this year," she said, from needing operations to breaking bones.
At least the Emergency Financial Assistance Program was not affected, she said. Last year, readers of The Roanoke Times raised a record $191,780 through the Good Neighbors Fund. The money paid utility bills, prescription drug costs, rent and mortgage payments for 5,379 applicants.
But that number represents an increase of 238 individuals from the previous year, so there wasn't any extra money to go around.
"It's been standing-room only in the financial aid office some days," said Jo-Anne Woody, RAM's administrative assistant.
"Last year, it was rough. The recession was just getting started. Now it's worse," she said.
Many of this year's applicants are employed but have had their hours cut and, often for the first time in their lives, can't pay their utility bills.
The problem is compounded when they are disconnected, Woody said. Not only must they pay current and past charges, but they also have to come up with a sizable deposit and a reconnection fee.
"How do people get out from under that?" Woody asked.
"If they're already struggling, they're never going to see daylight," Denison agreed.
"Not everyone has been affected by the recession yet," she added. "But nearly everyone has a friend or family who has."
The funds are divided into 12 equal installments so the program doesn't run out of money before the end of the year.
"We try to hold some back" during the summer months, Denison said, because needs are often greater during the winter heating season.
In all, because of other donations and grants, $224,533 worth of aid was given out last year.
Some of the money also goes toward bus fare, work clothes, tools and the cost of obtaining identification for those seeking employment.
Woody said she usually spends more than her allotted 10 hours a week tracking down birth certificates and other forms for clients.
"You can't get a job without identification," she said, and many of RAM's clients don't have the money or resources to track down their papers themselves.
At one time, the agency had a full-service employment-placement program, but that position has been eliminated because of lack of funding, Denison said.
On the positive side, the number of free, hot lunches handed out this year decreased slightly from 42,346 to 41,712.
Denison said the drop may have been because of more guests taking part in RAM's day labor program. While the shelter's kitchen provides bag lunches for some workers, others are given their meals by their employers.
Denison said she is not going to predict how the Good Neighbors Fund campaign will do this year. She's been surprised too many times before, she said.
"Ever since 9/11, even when there have been hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes, it turns out to be a good year. I can't explain it," she said.
One of the bright spots this year has been the expected arrival of the first baby ever to be born to a RAM staffer. Volunteer Coordinator Alison Martin is due to deliver her first child, a boy, near Thanksgiving. The staff has suggested a name for the baby: "RAMbo."
Every day during the Good Neighbors Fund drive -- which begins today and ends on New Year's Day -- The Roanoke Times features profiles of people who have been helped by readers' contributions, of the volunteers who work at RAM and stories about those who choose to donate.
