Note: The following posting originally appeared as an Op-ed piece in the Atlanta Journal Constitution on November 27, 2010
It
was recently reported that according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, Georgia's
poverty rate was the third highest in the country, with more than 1.8 million
residents counted among the poor; an increase of over 300,000 people. This information
validated an increasing trend in dependency and need that we have been
observing at the St. Vincent de Paul Society over the last 3 plus years. That
trend has driven increases in requests for assistance across the board; for
food, clothing, financial assistance, and help in finding employment. Unfortunately it is a situation that we don't
see getting better any time soon.
The
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has served people in need in 35 counties in
north and middle Georgia since 1903; and we have seen dramatic increases in requests
for help every one of them. The volume
of requests began increasing in 2009 after the economic downturn began and have
steadily grown each year since. The
‘hard’ numbers are sobering. In 2009 we
helped over 179,000 people with $13.5 million in financial, material, and
educations assistance; in 2010 that number grew to 189,500 people and almost
$17.0 million in assistance.
One
of the most striking things St. Vincent de Paul has seen over the past few years
has been the change in the socioeconomic profile of those seeking our help. More
people are being driven into dependency and situational poverty due to job loss,
underemployment, illness without medical insurance support, or other factors. The
jobs crisis has also left many without work for so long that they are no longer
receiving unemployment benefits.
That
change in need has had a financial impact on SVdP’s ability to help. There has
been a distinct increase in the amount of money needed to meet the needs of
those we serve. For example, instead of requests for $300-500 to help with rent
payments, people need help with $1000 mortgage payments. Some who previously
donated have become clients.
With
so many hurting, how can you help? Of course every nonprofit can use monetary
donations, but there are many other ways. Hold a food drive in your
neighborhood. Use the buy-one-get-one-free coupons and donate the free item to
your local food pantry. Brew your own coffee and donate the $3-5 you save
daily. Volunteer with a nonprofit. But most of all – care and become
involved. Make a difference and change a
life – every day.
John Berry
CEO and Executive Director
