Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 20, 1994 TAG: 9411210009
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
\ In some ways, Roanoke Area Ministries is like the homeless people, the families on welfare and the working poor it tries to serve. It is hard enough for the agency to find resources to cover the necessities, much less set money aside for emergencies that might crop up.
This situation is not because of a lack of foresight, said Julie Hollingsworth, RAM's director. Instead, it is a deliberate attempt to focus on helping people, even at the expense of making repairs or improvements to the charity's building. Staff members and volunteers simply work around problems such as rotten floorboards and inadequate heating and cooling.
Roanoke Area Ministries began 26 years ago as an agency for distributing government-surplus food to the poor. It evolved into a cooperative effort among the valley's Christian and Jewish congregations to coordinate financial aid. Today, the organization receives support and donations from more than 200 area churches and businesses. These donors fund RAM's four assistance programs.
The RAM House day shelter on Campbell Avenue is the Roanoke Valley's only daytime shelter for the homeless. Every day, a crew of volunteers serves a hot lunch. Last year, the shelter's kitchen gave out nearly 40,000 meals.
The Emergency Financial Assistance Program helps people with emergency needs, such as rent payments, utility bills, medical expenses and food. Money for the program comes from the Good Neighbors Fund, which is sponsored by the Roanoke Times & World-News. Last year, the fund brought in $102,525. A record was set in 1991 when $125,205 was raised. Every penny of the Good Neighbors Fund goes to the needy. None of it is spent on administrative costs.
The program is not meant to help people on an ongoing basis, Hollingsworth said. No one receives funds more than twice a year, and health care needs are given priority. Most people receive less than $75 each time.
In 1993, the Emergency Financial Assistance Program gave out $176,566 to the needy. Nearly half of this money went toward utility payments. More than one-quarter of the remainder was used for housing expenses.
Some Good Neighbors Fund money is distributed through the Presbyterian Community Center on Jamison Avenue. The center - completely supported by 22 area churches - screens applicants for financial assistance.
"We have a good working relationship with RAM," said Pat Dillard, the center's director.
The Second Mile program also offers one-time help to renters or homeowners who are in danger of losing their homes because of an unexpected setback. These people can receive $150 to $500 toward a mortgage or rent payment.
The Family Advocacy Program matches families who need home repairs with church groups willing to volunteer their labor. RAM pays for the materials. Money for this program is raised through grants.
Roanoke Area Ministries is housed on the grounds of the original site of Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church on Campbell Avenue. The agency uses the old sanctuary and other space free but must pay a yearly maintenance fee of $995.
RAM also is responsible for repairs. Hollingsworth said the building needs new gas supply lines. The old pipes are too small and are not fueling the stoves properly.
At Thanksgiving, it takes all day to cook the turkeys, she said. The cost of replacing the lines is $920, money RAM does not have.
Also, she said, the floor in the day shelter is rotting and probably will cost around $2,000 to $3,000 to fix.
Heating and cooling the old, high-ceilinged rooms is a problem, she said, and the agency could use two new window air conditioners.
Luckily, RAM has plenty of volunteers to help serve lunch. More than 400 people sign up each month to help, but volunteers always are needed to help with meal preparation from about 9 a.m. to noon every day.
Hollingsworth also is looking for volunteers on an on-call basis to pick up prescriptions and food donations.
RAM's homeless clients and those who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid need dental care, eye examinations and treatment, Hollingsworth said. Sometimes, RAM will send a client to a dentist or optometrist and pay the bill, but it's difficult to provide transportation.
"It would be wonderful to be sure their medical needs were addressed," she said.
Donations of food and personal items, such as shampoo and toothpaste, always are welcome. "No gift is too small," Hollingsworth said.
Next year, RAM's board of directors plans to re-evaluate the agency's mission statement.
"Things are working well, but we have to do better," Hollingsworth said.
Checks, made payable to Good Neighbors Fund, should be mailed to Roanoke Times & World-News, P.0. Box 1951, Roanoke 24008.
Names - but not donation amounts - of contributing businesses, individuals or organizations, as well as memorial and honorific designations, will be listed in the newspaper. Those requesting that their names not be used will remain anonymous. If no preference is stated, the donor's name will be listed.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***