Shelter from the Economic Storm

Post #45

Last month, Montgomery Housing Partnership celebrated its 20^th anniversary with a gala event.  More than 500 people attended a dinner honoring the great work this non-profit has done in providing much-need affordable housing in our area.  I am proud to have provided them with consulting assistance in their laudable work.  Since its founding, MHP, the largest nonprofit housing organization in our County, has developed 1,165 units of affordable homes to date. 

But while we celebrate this accomplishment, a headline a Baltimore Sun article reminded us of the growing and unmet need for affordable housing.  In Baltimore County, homelessness has increased 25% in the past year.   More than one-third of those surveyed (the total of which is likely to be an under-count) acknowledged being homeless for the first time in their lives.  (Similar studies have been conducted in Montgomery County, but the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless indicated that they have not been completed as of this writing.)

Increased unemployment and rising foreclosures means that more families are out on the street.  Demand for food assistance from Manna Food Center has increased a shocking 56% since the start of the recession.  Before she left to explore other options, Manna’s widely respected Executive Director Amy Ginsburg used to talk about how families that previously donated to Manna were showing up as recipients.

Those of us who have a warm and safe home and can afford to provide our families with nutritious food should count our blessings… and support, in any way we can, organizations such as MHP, MCCH, and Manna, who help those in need.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Have you ever helped organize a canned food drive?  Does your religious institution or community group participate in the collection of coats, socks and other basic needs for the homeless?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#45) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.