Agencies that help the homeless struggle to survive and maintain services

[Jeffersons Ghost]

Nonprofits struggle to survive and maintain services
By Jonathan O'Connell

When job losses and foreclosures began to mount in the recession, leaders of many local charities knew it was time to push their organizations to provide more -- more beds to the homeless, more opportunities for the unemployed, more meals to the growing number of hungry families showing up on their doorsteps.

A spike in need was coming and they were going to step up and meet it, regardless of the funding shortages that may result from the economic tailspin. They could worry about that later.

But now it is later -- nearly three years after the recession began in December 2007 -- and a new survey of nonprofit human service providers shows that nearly half of those in the District, Maryland and Virginia ran a deficit last year.

Many of the groups whose services protected families during the recession may not make it through the downturn themselves. Some already have not.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/05/AR2010110507410.html?hpid=topnews

Republicans claim we don't need "entitlements" because churches and the "private sector" will take care of the disabled and underprivileged. It doesn't appear that these type organizations will have the resources to keep their doors open, much less care for anyone.

[Jkid]

1. There's a reason government exist

Because non-profit's and volunteerism can't handle everything.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

2. ours can sure take care of their wars...

for now

[bluestate10]

10. That basic message is lost in yelling.

Republicans have gained control of Congress precisely because they have been successful demonizing poor people. Our democratic side either do not have the smarts or the guts to turn the tide on republicans. The first step in forcing the tide is tax equity between blue states and red states. Poorly paid red staters must be brought to realize how much blue staters support red state economies. Blue states can take tax money that come back to them and deal with both social needs and providing low interest loans to small businesses that start up and STAY in blue states. The upshot will be that red state voters will finally come face to face with the insanity of their voting patterns.

[defendandprotect]

3. Not restoring the Reagan and Bush tax cuts for the rich is criminal .....

this is purposeful impoverishment --

and Obama and Dems have done little to address it since '06 --

[madrchsod]

4. here in reagan`s hometown our food bank runs short every week

and link cards are "sold" as cash. my area is averaging close to 15-20 foreclosures a month and the homeless shelters are full now.


"hard times come again no more...."

[socialshockwave]

5. But according to the Republicrats...

there's jobs out there, and the poor are just lazy and entitled.

Idiots. How can you survive on a job that pays you less then your rent or less then enough to survive?

[Jeffersons Ghost]

7. it's that way everywhere but it is particular poignant in reagan`s hometown

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Keep this kicked

[laughingliberal]

8. K & R nt

[bluestate10]

9. Each of us can help. Why the poor do not vote?

Each of us can buy food for food banks every time we shop. Like a tax imposed on yourself. I spend a little extra on food for food banks and use every opportunity to contribute money when my grocery stores are running charity drives. But longer term, poor people must help themselves by becoming more active voters. If they are not willing to go to the mat in large numbers for their self interests, progressive and moderate democrats will not be able to hold back republican tides.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

12. you're very kind

[Donnachaidh]

11. none of these groups can sustain long-term droves of people in need

I'm seeing it in my red state, which claims we don't have any problems here.

These groups are being overwhelmed, and are literally out of monthly money allocated to help by the second week of the month. The only ones who seem to be handling it better are the ones who are getting Federal help.

Even with the help, we're seeing more homeless, more out of state plates, and more desperation than ever before. The safety net is shredded. And the pukes will get rid of even more.