Many people in need for the holidays
Season of giving falls in middle of economic crisisBy Sam Shawver, sshawver@mariettatimes.com
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Fact Box
Send Help
The annual Send Help Drive, sponsored by The Marietta Times and WMOA, helps local families and individuals who may not be able to afford a traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Donations allow local food pantries to restock shelves with non-perishable items that are most needed. Every dollar buys five pounds of food from regional food banks.
To donate: Send Help Drive, c/o Marietta Community Food Pantry, 318 Front St., Marietta, Ohio 45750.
Food pantries
Marietta Community Food Pantry, 318 Front St., First Congregational Church, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday; 373-5741.
Belpre, 2300 Washington Blvd., Rockland United Methodist Church, 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 423-2069.
Beverly-Waterford, 309 Seventh St., St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, 9 to 11 a.m. second and fourth Thursdays; 984-2807.
L.A.M.B. (Lowell Food Pantry) & Thrift Shop, 309 Walnut St., 9 to 11 a.m., second and fourth Wednesdays; 896-3266.
Lower Salem, 102 Main St., Peoples Bank, third Wednesday; 585-2143.
Marietta Church of God Pantry, 501 Colegate Drive, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays; 374-4219.
New Matamoras, School Road, New Matamoras Elementary School (when food is available); call for appointment, 865-2990.
Newport, 245 Green St., Newport Baptist Church, by appointment; 473-1333.
Western Washington County Food Pantry, 1500 Rocky Point, Fleming, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 1 to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday; 678-1065 or 678-2189.
Church of Christ, 2932 Washington Blvd., Belpre, by appointment; 423-7021.
Williamstown, 304 W. Fifth St., First United Methodist Church, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. (plus breakfast) third Saturday of the month; (304) 375-3995.
Washington County Harvest of Hope; 374-3438.
Volunteering
Donations and volunteers are also needed by the following organizations:
Salvation Army, 136 Front St., Marietta, 373-4043.
Washington/Morgan Community Action, 218 Putnam St., Marietta, 373-3745, ext. 209.
The Marietta Community Foundation Inc., 215 Putnam St., Marietta, 373-3286.
Source: Times research.
Bell ringers with the Salvation Army's holiday kettle campaign began the annual fund drive Monday by taking up their posts at Marietta-area businesses.
But there is some concern, given the nation's current economic woes, that the Salvation Army and other local charities may not fare so well during this holiday season.
"I think we may have a hard time of it this year," said Beth Sour, social services coordinator with the Salvation Army in Marietta.
"After four days of applications for holiday assistance, it looks like we're going to have an increase of about a third over last year," she said. "And some people who were able to give in years past are now in need of help themselves."
Sherry Rhodes with Washington/Morgan Community Action agreed.
"We have applications from 913 kids participating in the Secret Santa program, and so far there are only enough sponsors for 458," she said. "We send out letters in October and usually get a large response, but money's tight this year."
Marietta resident Lois Reed said she donates what she can.
"We've already given to the Salvation Army this year, and we may not be able to do much more," she said.
In addition to the kettle campaign, the Salvation Army sponsors an Angel Tree program that helps donors provide gifts for needy area children.
"That program starts the day after Thanksgiving," Sour said. "We hope people will be able to help, but it's been a hard year for some, so we'll have to do the best we can."
She noted that more volunteers are needed to assist with the annual kettle drive.
"If people can just give some time to ring the bells it would help," Sour said. "Local civic groups are helping, but we would like to hear from some more this year."
Area food pantries could feel the economic pinch, too.
"We really don't know what's going to happen - that's the scary thing for all of the local pantries," said Scott Britton with the Marietta Community Food Pantry.
"We're seeing quite a few new clients this year, as well as some returning who haven't needed our services for the last six or seven years," he said. "And we always have our highest volume of requests for assistance at this time of year."
Britton said the Marietta pantry is still holding its own and able to provide food for those in need.
"The good thing is that many of our community organizations and school groups collect food for pantries over the holidays," he said. "And we're getting some calls from groups who want to donate. Churches from all over the area have been a big help, too."
The Marietta Community Food Pantry also partners with The Marietta Times and WMOA-AM 1490 for the annual Send Help Drive to assist families who cannot afford Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners.
Bill Thompson with the Marietta Community Foundation, said the agency distributes funding to assist charities every holiday season.
"We'll give out grants again this year," he said.
"We also do a year-end mailing that usually produces a significant amount from donations," Thompson added. "We don't know what to expect this year, but I do know that Mariettans have been great supporters of our foundation, and that money stays in Marietta."
Phyllis Wells of Marietta believes the economy will definitely affect people's giving this year.
"I think it will be difficult, but those who are pretty well set - without a house payment or other major expense - maybe they could give a little more this year," she said.
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Johanna
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11-20-08 7:13 PM
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Wash.Co.Citizen: I would hope the people that you have described are not receiving the handouts. I would think that those in charge of providing to people in need would know of some red flags. I am also happy to report that I found a way to get the items to the Family that I intended and hope that they are useful.
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washingtoncountycitizen
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11-20-08 2:45 PM
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I dont think anyone minds helping out someone in need. However, I think people are tired of working everyday to pay for some of the things our tax dollars go for. For example, there are some people that are just "drains on society" and sit around all day taking Xanax and claiming to be depressed and have anxiety. But can go out every weekend and get drunk and steal things and spend the majority of thier life in and out of the county jail. Those are the people that it makes people bitter to know that they are standing in line for a handout.
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hasworkedingovt
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11-19-08 8:34 AM
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Donate your clothing to Churches and the Salvation Army. They have the personell and storage space for those. The Red Cross I think supplies emergency aid as a first responder in the form of money for immediate housing and food. Monetary donations to your local office allow them to help victims of fire and disasters. Contact local service organizations to volunteer time if you can't give money or donate goods. ALL of our organizations need help right now! Take some initive and do what you can where you can. You will feel better for it!
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Johanna
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11-19-08 1:12 AM
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It actually amazes and stuns me...that attitudes of the bloggers that are so judgmental and cruel? You want to see who you are helping? Look around ..could be your co-worker or your bestfriend...it's really none of your business. People are entitled to a bit of dignity and confidentiality. If you don't care to help out, crawl back in your hole...
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Johanna
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11-19-08 1:05 AM
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Curious Wandy..You ringing bells? Working the "kettles"? You asked me.
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Johanna
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11-19-08 12:56 AM
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Sorry..the article is about the Salvation Army which is an outstanding group. I am just a little disappointed with the fact that I spent a day pulling out all of the 4/5 size boys clothes, boots, shoes and coats etc...everything we could come up with quickly to help a Family in need and now...it sits here. My 7 yr. old helped find things when I explained what it must be like for a little boy to lose his home. He started going through all of his books, looking for bookks that he had outgrown.. Maybe I have missed something somewhere but it seems as though we should have a better organized system to help people without intruding, embarassing or judging. They should not have to ask for help. In a community like ours, it should be a given.
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weaser
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11-18-08 11:53 PM
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You know Wandy I say keep your money and anything else. You are a heart less person. And if you give with your attitude, it would be better not not given. God says give he did not say we were to judge those who took advantage of it. When we give it is not up to us to decide all it is distributed. Just food for thought.
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Johanna
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11-18-08 10:29 PM
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Wandy? sorry..."Why?" What is the Red Cross for?
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Johanna
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11-18-08 10:24 PM
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Wanda.."why" what?
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JohnnyRingo
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11-18-08 10:22 PM
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Why WandyisCool? Because that's what most people think the Red Cross does. That's why?
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JohnnyRingo
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11-18-08 10:21 PM
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WVCountryBoy... believe what you want on here, but be careful. Never take any comment as fact. You might be surprised at what you don’t know. Consider the term ‘Due Diligence’.
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WandyisCool
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11-18-08 10:18 PM
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Why...???
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Johanna
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11-18-08 9:23 PM
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commetsatlarge...not a Fab idea...that is humiliating to someone in need. Makes as much sense as the Red Cross having the Families call you for what you have to offer them? Shouldn't the Red Cross be taking the donations and delivering them to the Families in need?
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Johanna
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11-18-08 9:20 PM
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People are not always as they seem....we shouldn't judge.
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Johanna
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11-18-08 9:18 PM
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Country Boy...Joking!!! You are finally getting it? You call me every horrendous name and accuse me of all kinds of things and think that I won't mess with you? lol And own property in Ohio. Then I suppose you hit that free food give-away with your deermolition wreck!! Congrats.
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WVCountryBoy
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11-18-08 9:06 PM
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Chaos what are you talking about? Your the one joking with Johnny Ringo about spending your food stamps. Bye the way I do own quite a bit of property in OH. So please play by the rules.
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Johanna
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11-18-08 8:12 PM
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Thanks for trial, Country...the only reason you cause chaos on our sites ...no blogging on WV news??? Go cause chaos somewhere else...
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Johanna
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11-18-08 6:09 PM
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I just believe that there are more folks who need it and are hopefully getting it than the ones that don't need it but are getting it.
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WandyisCool
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11-18-08 5:52 PM
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Johanna-Good job.
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Johanna
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11-18-08 5:41 PM
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Has anyone heard of where to take things for the Family that lost their Home on Dodd Run Rd. to a fire?
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Johanna
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11-18-08 5:39 PM
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No, I am not on assistance, as County Boy blogger is convinced of...
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Johanna
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11-18-08 5:38 PM
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Yes..and I participate in other areas , as well.
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WandyisCool
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11-18-08 5:27 PM
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Johanna....Are you working the kettles?
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Johanna
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11-18-08 5:20 PM
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oops and devastated
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Johanna
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11-18-08 5:19 PM
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bells..that is
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