Record Number Seeking Holiday Aid

[displacedtexan]

Record number seeking holiday aid
Working poor need help, but charities are strained

By Cyril T. Zaneski
Sun Staff
Originally published November 9, 2003

Reflecting an ailing economy, a record number of children are seeking toys, clothing and food in the Salvation Army of Greater Baltimore's annual holiday gift program. And the organization - like many other charities - is expecting a struggle for donations to meet the rising need.

Parents and grandparents have registered 11,129 children in the Angel Tree Program, up 20 percent from the 8,894 who received gifts a year ago, Salvation Army officials said.

Unlike past years, when most seeking help from the Salvation Army were unemployed and on welfare, people requesting help this year are minimum-wage workers who cannot afford to buy presents and still afford rent and food, said Peggy Vick, the organization's director of family services.

much more (but never mentions the 'bush tax cut miracle')…


http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-te.md.salvation09nov09,0,7436860.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

[Don_G]

1. It Looks Pretty Bad In Baltimore

I don't know how much the Salvation Army can help, but it dosen't look like the poor can expect much help from the city or the state.

Here's a bizzare example: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/bizarre/110603_APsn_zoo.html