Ansswering the bell

Tight times call for more compassion

By KATIE SEMINARA

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

Although bell-ringers are already manning those familiar red kettles, the Salvation Army fears a decrease in holiday collections.

It might be the traditional season of giving, but times are tough for donors as well as those in need.

Last year the Red Kettle Campaign brought in $250,000 for the Salvation Army of Mahoning County. That was $15,000 below 2006’s total, said Major James Foley, area coordinator.

With 12 kettle stands distributed throughout the county, Foley hopes this year’s donations won’t drop as significantly.

People realize that the country is struggling due to the poor economy, he said.

“With that knowledge those that can help [others] are more apt to donate,” said Foley,

More than 2,600 families are already signed up for Christmas assistance and Foley said he anticipates that number will exceed 4,000.

“We certainly ask people to listen for those bells,” Foley said. “If they see a red kettle it really means helping someone else.”

Jill Stanley of Poland and Jean Gallagher of Edinburgh, Pa., dropped a donation into a kettle while shopping at the Shops at Boardman Park recently.

Stanley said she will donate to places like Gleaners Food Bank and Gallagher wants to give to Project H.O.P.E., a community outreach organization designed to help needy families in the Mohawk area near Bessemer, Pa.

“My money is tight, but there’s always [someone] less fortunate,” said Stanley.

And area agencies report the number of those in need continues to grow.

“We are seeing a tremendous increase in people who need food,” said Rebecca Martinez of Second Harvest Food Bank.

Last year Second Harvest provided food to about 7,400 people a week in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. That number has since grown to about 9,100 people a week.

“Our challenge is [greater] this year,” said Martinez.

“Many people don’t know who is hungry. Sometimes it’s your neighbor or the person you sit next to in church,” she said.

Martinez was recently at a food pantry in Struthers and met a woman who was a recent donor, but is now on the other end of the program.

“Whatever people can give we are grateful. No gift is too small,” Martinez said.

“Hunger is year-round ... not just during the holidays,” she said.

Richard Hahn of Boardman said he and his wife make donating an all-year habit.

“It’s difficult; people need more, but people have less to give,” he said. For those who have less to give, Hahn suggests an alternative to writing a check: Donate time.

Beatitude House would gladly take volunteers willing to donate their time while working on a Santa’s Workshop campaign, which runs up until Christmas. Beatitude House is an agency that provides temporary homes to disadvantaged women and children.

The workshop gives children of Beatitude House the opportunity to shop for their mothers and sometimes their teachers, said Teresa Boyce development director.

Boyce said the organization is in need of new or gently used items suitable for women. People generally donate toiletries, gloves, hats, scarves, gasoline gift cards, as well as homemade gifts.

“If you’re crafty you can make something to keep them warm,” Boyce said .

Other charities like Toys for Tots and St. Vincent DePaul Society also watched numbers of those in need grow during the past year.

Last year Toys for Tots in Mercer County, Pa., had 700 requests for toys, said Sheri Valimont director of Mercer County Family Center.

Valimont said that number is likely to increase this year, as the organization are already at about 400 and it’s not even December.

Bernie Willoughby president of Youngstown district council for St. Vincent DePaul Society Kitchen and Food Bank said the charity’s donations have remained consistent, but the need is greater.

In June, the charity’s kitchen served 200 people per day; now it serves 300 people per day, said Willoughby.

Pantry numbers have grown 40 percent since June as well, he said.

Though giving is associated with the holiday season, charity organizations serve those in need year-round.

Christmas donations are appreciated, but Boyce said Beatitude House and related agencies accept donations for every season.

“If we have extra we always share with other area agencies,” said Boyce.