
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, November 26, 1995                   TAG: 9511270057
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SOMETIMES, HARD WORK JUST WON'T COVER THE BILLS

Nancy (not her real name) came to Roanoke Area Ministries in November for help. She and her husband, Bill, (not his real name) had worked hard all their lives. When he could, Bill put in 60- to 70-hour weeks, while Nancy kept house and cared for the family.

They weren't poor, but they weren't rich, either. They paid all of their bills on time, "even if [it meant] we don't eat," Nancy said.

Saving for retirement was something they'd thought about, but there was never enough money left to put aside, and none of Bill's employers provided a pension plan. So he kept right on working after he turned 65.

A year and a half ago, however, Bill was involved in a traffic accident. After that, Nancy said, his health deteriorated, and the debts began to pile up. They tried to get by on his monthly $792 Social Security check, but one of his medications alone cost $600 a month.

Because Bill needed around-the-clock care and Nancy also is taking care of her elderly mother, she was unable to look for work herself.

The Bradley Free Clinic found a way to get them the medication at no charge, but the couple chose to ignore the thousands of dollars in hospital bills they had accumulated in favor of paying their day-to-day debts, such as utility bills.

Things weren't too bad until early this month, when their son and grandson, who had been living with them and helping with rent and food, moved out. They fell behind in their bills and received a cutoff notice from the power company.

Nancy came to Roanoke Area Ministries seeking emergency financial assistance. Much of the money for this program comes from the Good Neighbors Fund, sponsored by this newspaper.

Like many former middle-class people, Nancy at first didn't know where to go for help. In fact, she said, "I probably could have gotten help sooner, and didn't even know it."

Nancy said she hoped this one-time aid would get the couple back on their feet, but a few days after they received the grant, Bill died.

Even though he had spent his final days confined to the house, Bill seemed to be in good spirits at the end, Nancy said. All along, he had hoped to return to work one day.

Checks made payable to the Good Neighbors Fund should be mailed to The Roanoke Times, P.O. 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.

by CNB