Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 6, 1993 TAG: 9303060276
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE HUDSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
WEATHER STRAPS SALVATION ARMY
The economy is bad enough. But the weather is making things even tougher on the Salvation Army and the needy families it serves.Maj. Dan Delaney, commander of the Salvation Army Corps in Roanoke, said the Roanoke Valley's recent spate of wet, nasty weather has kept many outside laborers and construction workers out of work. That, in turn, has increased demand for financial help from the agency.
"These folks would work if the weather would break," Delaney said Friday. "Speaking for myself, if I missed one week of work, I'd be in trouble. Some of them have missed several weeks and they can't make the rent."
The Salvation Army offers small amounts - typical $150 to $200 - to families facing eviction or utility shutoff.
So far during its budget year - which began Oct. 1 - the Roanoke corps has spent almost $325,000 for financial assistance. That's $110,000 more than it had planned to spend for the five-month period.
That has forced the agency to divert money intended for other programs and run a small deficit. "We've just tried to rally and cut corners - just like the president - because we know the people need it," Delaney said.
In recent weeks, the agency has had to turn away at least three families a day. On most days, Delaney said, the Salvation Army is forced to stop taking requests for rental and utility aid by noon.
To make matters worse, he said, the wet weather has reduced the amount of merchandise that is donated to the Salvation Army's thrift stores at 9th Street and Jamision Avenue Southeast and 3312 Cove Road N.W.
People are reluctant to call the Salvation Army and have it pick up donations, Delaney said, because they don't want anyone trudging through their homes when it's wet or muddy outdoors.
In addition, he said, fears about layoffs make many regular contributors hesitant about donating clothing and other items.
Much of what is donated is given away to the needy; the rest is sold and the profits used for rental assistance and other programs. The corps hopes the stores will produce more than $100,000 this year in profits.