ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 30, 1996 TAG: 9612020004
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: The Good Neighbors Fund
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
WHEN THE BILLS piled up, this family found help at Roanoke Area Ministries.
Sandra, 39, (not her real name) and her husband, Bob, (not his real name) moved to Roanoke from Northern Virginia last year, hoping for a slower paced, less-stressful lifestyle. Unfortunately, they didn't find it.
Sandra works nights at a nursing home, making $5.40 an hour. Bob is recovering from an operation and is waiting to hear if he is eligible for disability payments. The only money coming into the household are Sandra's wages and a Supplemental Security Income payment for her handicapped son. Each month, that check goes toward paying part of the rent.
The family of four receives food stamps, but because she makes "too much money," Sandra said, "it's not a lot."
Bob was working until August, when he had a heart attack and needed bypass surgery. In addition to the worries about his health and his medical bills - he hadn't been at his job long enough to be covered by his employer's insurance - losing his $12.50 an hour paycheck was a severe blow to the family.
"We're used to doing for ourselves," Sandra said. "We've never been in such bad shape."
By October, the bills had started to pile up.
Although she had never applied to a charity before, "I needed help," Sandra said. She found it at the Presbyterian Community Center. The Center is supported by 20 local churches, and provides screening services for Roanoke Area Ministries' Emergency Financial Assistance program, which is supported by the Good Neighbors Fund. There, she was given $100 toward the rent.
Sandra is not sure whether her husband will be allowed to return to work. He is growing more and more depressed the longer he sits around the house. He used to be friendly and outgoing, she said, but these days, he is withdrawn and moody.
With Christmas coming up, the children are asking for things the family can't afford. But "they seem to understand," Sandra said.
"We're trying to do what we can for Christmas, but I don't have anything to do it with."
In the meantime, she will try to find a way to support the family by herself.
"All I can do is just to keep on working until I find something that pays more," she said. But with only a high school diploma and no special skills, that may not be easy.
Friday's contributors included:
In honor of Mary Frances Petty, Frances Shields Harris and Jean Maxwell Hobbie
Ann and Manuel Sowers
Koiner and "Ab" Ellett, in memory of Leon Briggs
Evelyn G. Giles, in memory of William O. Giles Jr.
Roanoke Valley Shag Club
Shirley C. Logan, in honor of her friends
Louise S. Beale, in memory of Clarence Beale
George R. Gosey
Ruth G. Anderson
ANONYMOUS DONATIONS $285.00
SUBTOTAL $590.00
TOTAL AS OF 11/29/96 $6,553.10
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 and 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.
LENGTH: Medium: 75 linesby CNB