Tue Feb 09 2010
The Salvation Army is finding this year the continuing economic crunch is hard for both those who give and for those who receive.
“We are seeing the greatest need we have ever seen in Franklin County and in Anderson County,” Maj. Linda Hicks said.
Morris Burton, a 30-year veteran Salvation Army Board member, agrees.
“I think anyone familiar with the economic situation in this country has to be aware that the holidays are going to be tough on a lot of people,” Burton said.
That need translates to 1,550 families equaling 4,344 people in Lawrenceburg and Frankfort. Approximately 3,000 of that number live in the capital city.
Burton said the Frankfort Salvation Army began assisting Anderson County about five years ago.
“We have found the people in Lawrenceburg step up to the plate when it comes to giving,” he said. “Those folks do not put a drain on the money donated here.”
On the receiving end, Hicks said people are coming to them for assistance who never thought they would need the Salvation Army.
“One gentleman left three times because he could not bring himself to walk in the door.”
Burton said the man almost couldn’t make himself ask for help, but with the encouragement of social worker Dusty Nelson he finally came in.
“Many of the people we are helping now are people who have helped the Salvation Army in the past. They never imagined they would be on the receiving end. But that is why we are here,” Hicks said.
As for the giving, after the first week of kettle collections, the figures are down at least 35 percent. A poll released by Philanthropy.com and taken by the American Red Cross shows 67 percent will continue giving this year as they have in the past.
Nationally most donations are done during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and before the end of the year to take advantage of federal tax deductions.
Another local charity, the Franklin County United Way, has reached 55.8 percent of its $727,000 goal with approximately five weeks left in the campaign.
“We are seeing more coins and fewer bills in the kettles,” Hicks said.
Hicks and her husband, Maj. Roy Hicks, arrived in Frankfort from Bowling Green in June. They hit the ground running and have been working ever since to meet the needs of the two communities.
Monday and today basket deliveries for Thanksgiving meals were made to the elderly to supplement inadequate food stamps.
Vouchers in the sum of $15 were issued to Anderson County residents on Friday.
“This is the amount for a modest meal for a family of four,” Hicks said.
The Salvation Army works with Kroger in Anderson County and the figure was based on a basic Thanksgiving meal.
Vouchers in Franklin County will be distributed this week. Locally the Salvation Army works with Pic Pac. Again it is a $15 voucher.
For the Christmas holiday, the Salvation Army will face a difficult time as it tries to assist those who are out of work and newly unemployed.
Angel Trees holding lists with the needs of families are up at Walmart in both counties. Those with computers can select an angel for Franklin County through JC Penney at jcp.com/angel.
Barrels are located in Walgreen pharmacies for toy collections. Stockings are being stuffed by churches like Immanuel Baptist on Collins Lane and by the Changing Seasons Garden Club.
And those bell ringers are everywhere hoping to make up the difference in tangible gifts with money to provide what is needed.
“People are being as generous as they can be,” said Hicks, adding “Many just do not have the means to help us as they did before.”
Burton said this is the second year for the rising need from the Salvation Army. He said while they have relied on many churches in the past, even the churches are facing difficult fiscal decisions.
“Last year one church had to return the Angels they had taken because their own collections were being stretched to the maximum.”
Hicks said she hopes people will take the angels this year and shop on Black Friday for deals that will possibly cost less to take care of a family.
Angels in the form of cards are hung on trees in the store. Each one contains a list of a family’s needs. Each angel has a number (code).
Gifts selected for the Angel Trees are to be returned to the store where they were picked up. According to Hicks, gifts should not be wrapped, but placed in bags and each bag should have attached or written on it the code for the family.
“We collect every day. We keep a close eye on the gifts because we do not want people worrying they won’t go to the families,” Hicks said.
“Any time a donor can put a gift receipt in the bag it helps if the size is too small or if something has to be exchanged.”
But she cautioned not to put actual cash register receipts in the bag.
All gift collections and stockings are due in to the Salvation Army by Dec.11.
As for the money, they will continue to collect until the holidays are over. Hicks said it will be used to supplement the gifts that are needed and take care of other needs as they arise.
“Whatever is left over after the holidays, we use to help people with their utility bills, rental assistance, bus tickets, prescriptions and food. The need continues after Christmas and going into the new year as more people will find themselves out of a job.”
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