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Mar
16

Programs for Disaster Assistance

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There are times when weather or other disasters may cripple a community, causing havoc for businesses and residents alike. If your community has recently experienced a disaster, it is important to understand that there are many different federal and state governmental disaster relief programs that can help. You may find yourself without a home, a job, or any means of supporting yourself or your family. You may also find yourself unable to begin putting your life back together. That’s where disaster relief assistance can help.

One of the most important considerations in a disaster is knowing whether to stay where you are, or to evacuate for a safer location. Local authorities will usually make announcements concerning the advisability of evacuating via radio or television programs. You should also know how and where to obtain emergency food and water immediately following a disaster. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can offer advice in this area, as well as many others. There are precautions that you can take, especially if you live in an area prone to tornadoes, floods or other natural disasters. Keeping homeowner’s insurance information like policies, contact and account numbers online or in a safe deposit box can speed up the wait on insurance claims. You should also have lists of family members, any health issues or allergies and a pre-determined spot to meet up in case you are separated in a disaster. If your home is uninhabitable, you should seek shelter by contacting FEMA, the Red Cross, or the Salvation Army. Branches of each of these organizations are located throughout the country.

Mar
07

History of the Salvation Army

By | Community Service, General

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When most people think of the Salvation Army, either a thrift store or a red donation kettle is the first thing that comes to mind. Many Americans do not understand what the Salvation Army is as an organization, including its history, beliefs and practices. The Salvation Army began in the United Kingdom in the late 1800s as a Christian volunteer group. The original structure of the organization was very like the military with uniforms and ranks, from soldiers all the way up to generals. Shortly before the turn of the century, the Salvation Army had spread to other countries, including the United States, Ireland and Australia. Members of the Salvation Army were dedicated toward helping the poor, the destitute, and other ”undesirables.” By the early 1900s, the Salvation Army had distinguished itself in America as a source of disaster relief, working in areas that experienced tornadoes, floods and earthquakes. In fact, they were among the first and most active organizations on scene following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center buildings.

The Salvation Army is now a huge organization operating in countries all over the world. In addition to thrift stores in which they sell donated items, the Salvation Army also generates revenue during the holiday season with ”bell ringers,” volunteers who stand outside of many stores, ringing bells and collecting the spare change of passersby. While the Salvation Army continues to work towards helping the disadvantaged, they also adhere to a number of Christian values that are not completely accepted by the U.S. government, including their stance on abortion, homosexuality and euthanasia. They are, however, continuing to provide relief where ever disaster strikes and contribute large amounts of money toward re-education and training the poor for job skills.

Mar
03

Best Charities for Giving

By | Community Service, General

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Nearly everyone is aware that charitable contributions to qualifying organizations can be deducted from one’s taxable income for the purposes of figuring federal income tax. What you may not be aware of is that there are charities for nearly every situation, including those that are affiliated with specific religions. Finding a charity that you feel comfortable supporting takes only a little time and research, and your contributions can do much to help improve the lives of others.

A large number of charities deal with adverse health effects such as AIDS, cancer, Parkinson’s disease and muscular dystrophy. If you have any family members who have experienced these or other health problems, you may want to focus your charitable contributions toward Bailey House, the Cancer Research Institute, or the Muscular Dystrophy Association. If you prefer a more general health-related charity, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies may be the answer you are looking for.

If you would prefer to donate to a charity that helps with social issues like human rights, world hunger or literacy, you can check out the Global Hunger Project or the Human Rights Watch. There are also several other good charities that deal with specific social issues like torture victims, homelessness and disabled persons. Likewise, you can also find charities that are aligned with or sponsored by specific religious organizations. The American Jewish Committee works for global Jewish advocacy, while the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging helps to remove barriers for both young people and the elderly. When choosing a charity to receive your donation, be sure to investigate it fully. Review their disclosures for the percentage of their donations that finds its way into the hands of the needy, as that is unquestionably the most important consideration.

Feb
12

Helping the Needy Through Holding an Auction

By | Civic Duty, General

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There are all kinds of ways in which you can help the needy. One of them is through a non-profit organization designed for that purpose. These kinds of organizations need money, though, or they aren’t going to be able to do anything to help anyone. They may even have to close their doors if they can’t get enough donations or they don’t have enough support. Don’t let that happen to your organization. Instead, hold an auction so that you’re able to raise more money to help others. As for what you should have at your auction, you want to cover various price points and all kinds of different niches. Also, consider taking donations and selling refreshments, for a couple more income streams.
Go around to local businesses, and explain what you’re doing. Ask those businesses to donate to your auction. They’ll get free advertising that way, and they’ll also get a tax write off. Both of those are good things for a business, and you can get a lot of your local companies on board. Ask about things like cars and golf cars, as well as novelties like season tickets, autographed memorabilia, and poker tables. You can also try for vacation packages, because those are popular with quite a few people. For smaller items, gift baskets and gift cards to local businesses are good choices. So are tickets to sporting events.
Be sure that you advertise the auction and set it up in plenty of time, so that you can get more people to come to it. If you don’t advertise it well and/or you don’t make sure that you give people enough time to plan for it, you won’t see the volume of people you need in order to have a good auction and bring in a lot of money.

Feb
03

Soup Kitchens as a Pathway to Change

By | Civic Duty, General

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The first record of a soup kitchen in the united states is reportedly in 1802, run by the humane society in New York City. A resurgence of soup kitchens began over a hundred years later in the 1930’s because of the Great Depression, with another surge in the 1980’s. Today, hundreds of soup kitchens fill United States cities, trying to battle hunger from coast to coast. Most soup kitchens will gladly take your volunteer help, and you would benefit from the experience as well.

The first thing to know about working in a soup kitchen is that there are a wide variety of people who are served there. While some people will be regulars, others will be there at their own surprise and discouragement. The optimism and joy of some of the people who eat there is one of the most incredible things you can witness, and will rather encourage you instead of you encouraging them. Volunteering at a soup kitchen will show you how you can approach those in need with an attitude of service and brotherhood, and without an attitude of superiority or benevolence.

To find a soup kitchen near you, look up charities in your city and call local organizations such as the Salvation Army. Even if they do not have a local soup kitchen in your area, they will be able to direct you to one. When working at a soup kitchen, you can work behind the counter as a cook, or as a server, or even as a cleaner, wiping down counters. Some people simply sit and talk with those visiting, wanting to know more about their lives. Of course, one of the best ways to support your local charity is by raising money or donating funds so that they can keep serving those who are hungry and even improve or stretch their influence. Making a habit of serving and thinking of those in need is one of the best things you can do, for yourself and for your country. Find a soup kitchen near you to see how you can get involved.

Jan
20

Federal Programs to Help the Needy

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Millions of Americans live below the poverty level making paying for basic necessities a struggle for these families. The federal government has programs, often administered by the state by financed by the federal government, to help these families obtain food, housing and sometimes living money.

Every state has a food stamp program that’s federally funded. The food stamp program gives money to eligible residents. Residents qualify for a certain amount of food stamps based on income and if they have other assets. The stamps are loaded on to a card and can be spent at almost any grocery store. This program is crucial to the millions of Americans that struggle to feed themselves every day. Without food stamps, many of these families would go hungry. The application process varies a little by state but basically requires applying and then following up to answer questions about possessions, income and bills.

Another vital need that some Americans have trouble fulfilling is proper housing. Many people are either homeless or living in unsuitable housing. Through Section 8 housing, these Americans can get some or all of their rent paid for. Sometimes, section 8 housing involves living in a group of homes, but other times the housing is dispersed around the city and the applicant can find the place to use the voucher. Section 8 housing is based on income, but usually also has a wait list that can be years long.

Paying utility bills like electricity and heating are difficult for some. Federally-funded programs give citizens money towards these bills. These programs usually have offices in each city.

Needy Americans struggle to provide for their families and need outside resources to survive. For them, programs like the food stamp program, section 8 housing and energy assistance are a life line and the only way to get by.

Jan
15

Charities That Help the Needy

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Needy families often need outside help to provide for the family. Government programs are set up to help these families, but sometimes that help isn’t enough. Charities also help these families and make sure that all their needs are met.

The United Way funds programs in cities that help the needy. The United Way also directly overseas programs to help families. These programs help families that don’t get enough help from the government, can’t get help from the government or have a one-time need. The United Way helps with heating assistance in many families. These programs are designed to help families that don’t qualify for government heating help. The United Way also gives grants to other organizations in the community that work with needy families.

Food banks and pantries run through both secular and non-secular charities greatly help families. In this country, thousands of children go hungry every day. These families can go to these food pantries. Often, families just need to show an ID and live in the service area to qualify for help from the food pantry. The food pantries are usually open once a week or once a week and offer boxed and dried goods and in some cases fresh foods.

Needy families can get help with child care through after-school programs run at schools, sometimes by outside charities. Other organizations also help provide a safe place for children like the Boys and Girls Club. Programs like Big Brothers, Big Sisters give children a positive role model to do weekly or monthly activities.

The needs of families are wide and the charities working to help these families are also diverse. The charities often rely only on donations and grants to provide services. Many times these organizations work under strict budgets and don’t have much money to spare.

Jan
11

Give Me Shelter

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Housing issues continue to be one of the worst problems facing the country due to the recession. Families struggling to pay bills face eviction and aid resources can be difficult to find and make sense of. The following are some programs helping with the housing crisis and trying to keep families sheltered through the financial storm.

  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

HUD is the first place to look for housing help. This is a national program to help needy families or individuals with their housing issues. Their website offers quick and easy search options no matter what your housing situation may be. They have counselors available to dispense advice about avoiding foreclosure as well as grant applications and information about rental assistance.

  • Coalition for the Homeless

Based in New York City, the Coalition for the Homeless is doing everything in their power to keep people off the streets and offer help if it’s too late. They offer an Eviction Prevention program that gives grants to help families pay rent and stay in their homes. It is their mission to keep people in their houses to prevent homelessness in New York City.

  • Rural Rental Assistance Program

For families and individuals living in rural area that need help, check out the Rural Rental Assistance Program. This program is for low-income families and can help with rent or home-improvement projects by providing loans and grants.

  • Private Rental Assistance Programs

Another option for rental assistance is to look for a private program. Search by the state to find programs that are funded by local groups or individuals to help needy community members keep their homes during times of crisis.

All of these programs are excellent places to begin the search for financial help for low-income families to keep and maintain their homes. Keeping families in their homes is an important step in the fight against unemployment and poverty.

Jan
08

State Programs to Help the Needy

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Disabled persons and people in poverty or having tough times often need outside help. Every state offers help to needy residents. Many of these programs are federally funded, but state operated such as the food stamp program. Residents usually just need to present documentation of financial situation and identification to apply.

The food stamps program gives a monthly allotment of money to use to buy groceries at participating retailers. The money is loaded on a debit card that a user swipes at the cash register. Every state varies on the specifics of qualifying food stamps, but qualification is always based on the federal poverty line. The federal government publishes a chart with the amount of money a household can earn to be at poverty level.

Every state also has programs to help disabled citizens. Citizens can apply for special handicap passes with a doctor’s note at license branches. These citizens qualify for federal aid like health care and money for being disabled. States usually offer some health facilities through local governments and agencies to help disabled people.

Some states offer health care to residents that are poor or uninsured. These programs aren’t offered in every state and have restrictions. The program is different than the federal medicare and medicaid programs for eligible citizens. To qualify for the state programs, citizens don’t have to be pregnant or disabled. The states currently offering health care are limited because the programs are expensive to run.

Most states offer budgeting and financial programs to help needy persons learn to budget better and to make more money. These programs are designed to make residents self sufficient and to raise the financial IQ of residents. Check local offerings for any programs in your area.

Needy residents can look to their state of residency for some help. States have limited offerings to help residents cover needs and to work toward self sufficiency.

Jan
06

Energy for Everyone

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Sometimes keeping a roof over your head just isn’t enough. Heating and cooling costs of homes can also have a devastating effect on low-income families. Luckily there are programs to help households in trouble cover the high costs of energy.

  • LIHEAP

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, is a federal block grant that aims to aid in paying these high energy costs. All fifty states receive aid money from LIHEAP and tribal organizations can also apply for LIHEAP money to assist in meeting energy costs.

  • Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program

For those families not covered by LIHEAP, don’t fret, there are still more programs available to help cover heating costs. The Citizens Oil Energy Heat Program partnered with CITGO to provide oil to low-income, struggling households. This program is available to residents of Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, and Wisconsin.

  • HEAP

Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, is a program out of Ohio and New York State that helps low-income families cover costs of their energy bills to keep their homes heated. HEAP is a one-time assistance based on income and number of people living in the house.

  • Weatherization Assistance

A final option to help cover energy costs is Weatherization Assistance. This program helps weatherproof homes to make them more energy efficient and cut down costs of energy bills for struggling families. In addition to increasing energy efficiency the contractors also check to make sure the furnace is safe and in good working order.

These programs and more can be very helpful assistance when facing financial worries due to job loss or low-income. For more information on programs to help needy families with energy costs contact your state website or local community action agency.

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