Thursday, January 29, 2009

Government Stimulus or The Human Touch
  Society piece by Thomas D. Segel

There has been an economic crisis in Deep South Texas forever… and government couldn’t handle it.  Charitable organizations have been the main answer to the plight of thousands, who despite more than 40 years of political promises have remained at the low end of the economic scale.  Those left fighting for some improvement in their quality of life are predominantly Hispanic, indigent and among the working poor.  The region is historically Democrat in its voting history, but forgotten when Democrats are in power and ignored when Republicans control government purse strings.

There are individuals and organizations that clearly display humanitarian concern for the plight of so many in the Rio Grande Valley.  But, most of them are not government operated.

One such Texas organization is a humanitarian non-profit corporation called Loaves and Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley.  What started out as a soup kitchen for the hungry in 1989 has grown annually in the services it provides. Now in its 20th year, the organization has expanded to a one square block complex that attempts to meet most human service needs.

The Rio Grande Valley (RGV in Deep South Texas could be used as a display showcase for a much needed economic stimulus package.  The four counties, Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy and Starr, are among the most under employed, under educated and medically underserved regions in the nation.  With a population now exceeding 1.5 million people the RGV is more than 80% Hispanic in ethnicity.  It has one of the largest uninsured populations in the country, showing huge numbers unable to afford coverage on everything from homes to businesses and autos to health. The Valley has a median age of 28 years and only about one third of its people over the age of 25 with a high school education or better.  As of the 2000 census, 35.7% of the population was living in poverty, with an estimated increase in that number of almost 4% per year.  In Cameron County alone, more than 17,000 families live in sub standard housing.

It was because of the poor economic environment and the multitude of unmet human needs that Loaves and Fishes was born.  Formed as a charitable association by church congregations and local denominational bodies, Loaves and Fishes serves as the mission arm for those of faith to address the needs of people across the entire Rio Grande Valley.

With an income from gifts and grants that totaled less than $775,000 during 2008, the Loaves and Fishes organization still managed to provide 105,367 meals to those in need.  Its food pantry gave out 1,391 bags of food, with each bag holding enough food to feed a small family for a week.  A total of 9,238 bed nights were provided to those who needed shelter.  In addition, through its Family Emergency Assistance division rents and utilities were paid when possible and prescriptions were purchased.  Other services it offered to those in need included financial planning, job training and finding work for 131 individuals.

A current example of such humanitarian outreach was brought to the forefront of the organization’s concern following the devistation of Hurricane Dolly, which struck the RGV in June 2008.  Though damage from the storm was listed in the millions of dollars, the poor, the uninsured and the undocumented residents were among the hardest hit.  Adding to their misery, FEMA turned down a full one third of the applications for federal assistance, stating that the houses were already sub standard and did not qualify for any federal aid.  Because of being refused federal assistance and having no place else to turn, hundreds upon hundreds of people continue to reside in damaged homes and have no financial means to improve their living conditions.

Loaves and Fishes is leading the effort to correct an impossible situation by assisting in resolving some of the problems caused by Hurricane Dolly.  It has obtained two grants to help fund this effort. One grant from AEP Texas Central/Frontier Management, whose parent company is American Electric Power, is designed to improve weatherization and increase electric efficiency.  The grant will allow the replacement of hurricane damaged attic insulation, duct sealing, solar screens and even replace damaged appliances with Energy Star window air conditioners, ceiling fans and refrigerators, along with compact florescent lamps.

The second grant, from the Meadows Foundation of Dallas, Texas will provide low-income families in Cameron and Willacy Counties some weatherization assistance.  It will allow Loaves and Fishes to do non-structural repairs on homes that have received hurricane damage.  Such repairs include replacement of roofing, broken windows or structural holes caused by the storm. This project, because dollars are limited, will focus on helping the elderly, the disabled and families with young children.  Work is almost underway.  The staff have already held 35 client interviews and conducted 17 energy audits.

The needs are far greater than any one organization can ever hope to meet, but Loaves and Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley is doing everything humanly possible to offer a helping hand.  Perhaps that is why it has grown from a small soup kitchen into a huge multi-assistance program, while such things as political promises and economic stimulus assistance are still waiting to become a reality.

Semper Fidelis,
Thomas D. Segel

Posted by Thomas D. Segel on 1/29/09

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