|
"It's not unusual for people to be more
cautious in an environment like the one we're experiencing right
now," said Star of Hope's Marilyn Fountain. "There's a lot of
stress associated with the holidays, and that stress is
compounded by the constant bad economic news. Houston isn't
lacking in generosity, but people have to consider things they
haven't had to consider before."
Fountain said gifts suitable for teenagers — grooming aids,
jewelry, wristwatches, games and books — are desperately needed.
"It's normally difficult," to collect gifts for the teenage
group, she said. "But this year it's more than difficult. It's
just not happening."
Star of Hope will fill any gaps in the
gift campaign, Fountain said, but the organization, which serves
about 900 people a day, already has had a tough year.
"It's cumulative," Fountain said. "It's
normal for us to have an overflow of clients, but what's not
normal is that it's been constant since the summer. We've had a
35 percent hike in food costs; a 44 percent increase in
utilities."
In July, the organization laid off four
workers and instituted a hiring freeze.
Houston Salvation Army commander Maj.
Marshall Gesner said his group provides toys for about 23,000
pre-teen children through its Angel Tree program, in which
individuals, businesses or church groups "adopt" youngsters for
Christmas, and direct gift-giving.
"At this point," he said, "what we
really need is cash. Our Christmas fundraising helps fund the
Army year-round. In addition to Christmas assistance — we make
sure everyone's taken care of at Christmas — it helps us in the
following summer months, the slowest time of the year."
Gesner said applications for Christmas
assistance are up 5 percent to 10 percent since last year.
Successful fund drives, he said, "are
not an exact science. It's difficult to predict from year to
year. In January, we'll have a better idea of where we ended up.
We'll do all the things we can to to economize without
substantially affecting programs."
Reducing Salvation Army programs may be
necessary, he said, "but we don't want to put out the scare."
Joseph Benson at Search Homeless
Services, which provides meals, housing assistance and
rehabilitative programs to the homeless, said his group, too,
has been affected by hard times.
Specifically, he said, assistance is
needed in obtaining toys for older children in its "Adopt A
Family" program.
At Houston Food Bank, president Brian
Greene said donations have been robust, but the need continues
accelerate. During the organization's recent one-week "Share
Your Holiday" food drive, a record 6,100 people requested food
assistance.
Greene said demand for food aid in many
parts of the organization's 18-county service area has increased
by 20 percent from last year.
"There are at least 35,000 people
hungry in the Greater Houston area every day. Half of them are
working poor; half of them are children," said food bank
development director Amy Ragan.
"People are struggling harder," she
said.
Copyright © 2008 The Houston Chronicle |
