ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 1, 1996 TAG: 9612020065
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Good Neighbors Fund
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
A year ago, Margaret Moore, who is disabled because of back problems, was living on her own, drawing Social Security, and doing fairly well. But last November, her life turned upside down when she had to take custody of her son's two young children.
Both of their parents were in jail, and there was no one else to take care of them.
"I just couldn't see them going to foster homes," she said.
Suddenly, there were two extra mouths to feed. The children were dropped off on a school night with only the clothes on their backs. So Moore turned to the Presbyterian Community Center for food and clothing until she could get Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
She was not able to get food stamps, she said, because she owns four cars. Although two of them are completely broken down and the other two are barely usable, they are counted as assets.
If she were to sell the cars, she would be eligible for more benefits, she said, but she is reluctant to part with the ones that work, because she needs them to get to her doctor appointments. Both of the children have medical problems, as well, so she needs reliable transportation.
The other two cars are so worthless, Moore doesn't think anyone would want to buy them.
Moore came back to the center this fall, when she got behind on her electric bill. The children's father is out of jail now, but he doesn't contribute much to their support, she said. He also used her name on some of his bills and didn't pay them, so she has been saddled with those debts as well as her own.
Caseworkers at the center arranged to pay the electric bill with money from Roanoke Area Ministries Emergency Financial Assistance Program. The program is supported by the Good Neighbors Fund, which is sponsored by The Roanoke Times.
If it wasn't for the center, "I would have had a nervous breakdown," she said.
Life is not easy for Moore, "but I manage," she said. "We're real happy."
Luckily, she added, the girls "don't ask for much, but they've never had a whole lot, anyway."
The children are "good company," she said, "but it's sort of put my life on hold."
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: 58 linesby CNB