ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 16, 1997 TAG: 9701160018
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: good neighbors fund
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
BECAUSE THERE IS LESS MONEY to go around, RAM's staff will have to decide whether to lower the amount of each grant, or to start turning people away.
The staff of Roanoke Area Ministries faces some tough decisions. For the second year in a row, the Good Neighbors Fund drive, which is sponsored by The Roanoke Times, has brought in fewer donations than the previous year.
As of January 15, this year's total was $95,873.62, compared with last year's figure of $100,150.40.
"There are a lot of other things going on out there," Wendy Moore, director of Roanoke Area Ministries, said of the shortfall. "There are so many needs."
The Good Neighbors Fund helps support RAM's Emergency Financial Assistance program, which provides one-time grants for utility bills, medications and rent. Many of the people who receive the $65 to $70 grants are those who "fall between the cracks" when they apply to social service agencies, Moore said.
Because there is less money to go around, RAM's staff will have to decide whether to lower the amount of each grant, or to start turning people away. Unfortunately, Moore said, applicant numbers are up "and they're staying up."
And with state welfare changes coming to Roanoke in October, Moore said, she expects to see more women and children this year. State and federal social service agencies that ran out of funds last year already are referring people to RAM, she said.
"It's not just us," she said, but "we seem to be the ones they refer to first."
In addition to the money raised through the Good Neighbors Fund, "lots of food came in," Moore said. "I can't tell you how many schools got together and brought in food."
Much of it came from public radio station WVTF's annual collection of canned goods, she added. The donations of food will free up money that can be used for the Emergency Financial Assistance program.
Two computers also were donated and already are being used for RAM's new job training program.
RAM also has some new volunteers, Moore said, and several churches "we've never heard from before have been very helpful."
Despite the drop in cash donations, Moore said, the money that was raised will "go a long way" toward helping those in need.
Roanoke Times publisher Walter Rugaber said the response to this year's fund drive shows that "our community cares about those who fall on hard times."
"We're proud to sponsor the Good Neighbors Fund," he said, "and we're deeply grateful to all those who have contributed to its success,"
"Good Neighbors Fund does make a difference," Moore said. "It helped a lot of people get over that bump in the road."
Donations are accepted through the end of the fiscal year, but the fund drive is officially over and the names of donors will not be published.
Contributors included:
In honor of Julie Hollingsworth
In memory of Jack G. Varner
The Ellis Family, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. B.A. Ellis
Gail Gilbert, in memory of Rick Gilbert
Vertie W. Nott
Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Bell
Margaret N. Ferris, in honor of Steve and Jackie Talevi and Jennifer and Christopher Talevi; and in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Ferris and Mrs. Evelyn M. Silek
Dr. Henry R. Ivey, in honor of his patients, partners and staff at Parkway Physicians
Betsy Russo, in memory of Constance Wells and Walter Burnett
Pat Cooper
Louise Bohon
First Union Child Development Center staff, in memory of Virgil Denney and in honor of Noah and Wilma Denney
Gertrude C. Campbell in memory of Harvey J. O'Kon
W.H. Sisson in memory of his wife and son
Copenhaver, Ellett and Cornelison in memory of F. Burrell Stiff
TOTAL AS OF 1/15/97 $95,873.62
LENGTH: Medium: 79 linesby CNB