Published: July 08, 2009 06:55 pm      

Sluggish economy hits locals hard

Social service agencies struggling to keep up with demand

By Deanna Brown

Daily Sun



Hard economic times affecting the populace of Navarro County was a concern of the late Major Chuck Anderson of The Salvation Army. To that end, one of the last things he did was to organize a meeting of church leaders, social service agencies, clergy, and others in order to strategize and be proactive.

During that meeting, prior to Anderson’s untimely passing, it was noted by Corsicana Mayor C.L. “Buster” Brown III that there could very easily be homeless people in Navarro County by September.

Jackie Williams, social worker at The Salvation Army, believes it is the case already.

“I am here all day every day, and it is bad,” Williams said. “The mortgage people don’t want to wait for their money. The utilities are cutting people off without any grace period. We can’t pay reconnect fees, but even a $15 reconnect fee is like $100 to these people.”

Williams said her clients have no money for gas in order to search for jobs. The food stamp office is backlogged, and having trouble processing requests. The Salvation Army doesn’t have enough food to go around, and sends many people to the Food Pantry of Navarro County.

“The number of our clients has doubled since this time last year,” said Sue Tyner, executive director of the Food Pantry. “We see at least 10 new people each day who have never been to a food pantry before. They have been laid off, are unemployed, they are coming out of the woodwork. And the local office is way behind on food stamps.”

Tyner said volunteers at the food pantry attempt to give each family the same amount of food as normal, if not more, and that every other Thursday large trucks come from the food bank in Dallas to supply roughly six entities in town with food.

“Wal-Mart’s entire policy has changed, and they have now started collecting for us,” she said. “They have their employees hand out food applications, and the store is now donating food heavily.”

The change in policy is nationwide, but Tyner said the local Wal-Mart store has been very generous. H-E-B and Brookshire’s both contribute to the Navarro County Food Pantry as well.

“Everyone is chipping in, but it has become a much bigger project to feed the community,” Tyner said. “God does provide.”

Foods that are still needed, and may not be procured from the food bank in Dallas, are tuna fish, macaroni and cheese, cornbread mix, canned chili, canned spaghetti and peanut butter. Donations from individuals, service clubs and others are welcomed, as is cash.

“If you donate money, we can purchase many foods for 14 cents per pound, and the money goes further,” she said. “But we can’t get everything we need at the food bank.”

The Salvation Army also gives away food, but Williams said that is not the main function of that agency.

“I saw five families today who are basically homeless — one family is living in a utility shed in a pasture in Rice with no way to shower or cook. Many families who have lost jobs get three months or more behind on their rent, and are then evicted.

“We need funds,” Williams said. “If people would specify they want the money used locally, that would help a lot.”

Donations may be sent to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 758, Corsicana, TX 75151.

Medical needs, prescription drug needs, even diapers are needed. Williams said they are down to diapers designed for special needs kids roughly the age of 10, and one mother is cutting them down and putting them on a small child, and is thrilled to have them. Clothing and furniture are needed, as well, and receipts will be given for donations so they may be tax deductible.

“We have new people coming in who have never been here before,” Williams said. “I have a colon cancer patient with no propane to cook food or take a bath. She has always worked hard, and is now living on food stamps and $750 per month.

“It is just like an emergency room here — that’s how I describe my job.”

Mark Luera, executive director at Family Service Association, said his agency has been flooded with people who need help.

“We’re not keeping up very well,” he said. “We are seeing at least a 20 percent increase in needs, not that we’re getting them all met. It’s kind of crazy here in the trenches now.”

Luera cites rent, mortgages, utilities, prescription drugs and doctor bills as the main requests being seen by his agency. Fans for elderly people who don’t have air conditioning, or can’t afford to run their air, are a huge need currently.

“Major Chuck knew we needed to be getting our ducks in a row,” Luera said. “Since CISD is closed for the month of July, we are taking school uniforms right now that will then be given to the CISD clothes closet for kids going back to school.”

Furniture, clothing, refrigerators, and mainly fans are needed, as is cash. Donations may be mailed or dropped off at 517 N. Commerce St. for Family Service Association.

“We are really strapped for money now, even with my board increasing my allotment,” he said. “Our July allotment is already gone.

“We’ve been floored. We thought that when the needs increased, the donations would decrease. But what we are seeing is that even though Navarro County citizens may not have cash to donate, they will bring their stuff for ‘in kind’ donations.

“Navarro County citizens are generous, even in hard times.”



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Deanna Brown may be contacted via e-mail at deanna@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Sound Off” on this story? E-mail soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com.