Katrina causes drain on local donations

By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- While the good-hearted of Trumbull County send food to victims of Hurricane Katrina, a local mission finds its pantry bare.
"That's where the big drain has come from," the Rev. Thomas Weaver, assistant executive director of the Warren Family Mission, said Tuesday of the Gulf Coast disaster, which has drained donations of food and money.
The mission has been at 361 Elm Road for six years, providing food, clothing and shelter to the poor and working poor in addition to drug, alcohol and mental health counseling.
No cost
"We do everything here at no cost -- everything," the Rev. Mr. Weaver said.
"Katrina really hurt us; [Hurricane] Wilma will be another drain," he added.
In 2004, the mission provided 57,111 hot meals, helping 612 families.
This year, the mission is on pace to serve 75,000 meals, more than a 31 percent increase, explained Pat Murray, director of operations and a recovering cocaine addict.
The meals are prepared for some 41 men, women and children who are usually housed for short-term stays; 18 clients going through a one-year rehabilitation program; and those in need who stop in daily for something to eat.
The mission is especially full during the winter, when the homeless come in from the cold. There aren't enough rooms, so they sleep on the gymnasium stage, Mr. Weaver said. The mission is housed in a former Warren elementary school.
The seven-member full-time staff and seven ministers attempt to find people permanent housing during their five-day emergency stay, he explained.
Food hand-outs
In addition, the mission hands out 220 boxes of food monthly to families. The amount of food depends on the family size and need.
The mission once received large amounts of dented canned food along with dry goods. Now, a large amount is now going to the secondary food market, where it is sold at deep discount stores.
Mr. Weaver said he is seeing more "working poor" who need food baskets. They are families that have one wage earner but can't make ends meet because of the family size or large medical bills.
Money is a premium at the mission.
"We're not broke, but we're close to it," Mr. Weaver said, noting the mission recently sold a truck to pay its bills.
The high cost of gasoline has cut the mission's ability to pick up clothing and furniture for the poor, and to take clients to their appointments.
"We're facing it every day," he said.
Those who have donations of nonperishable food, clothing and money are asked to drop them off at the mission.
yovich@vindy.com