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A Times Editorial
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 4, 2001
In the commendable rush to aid the families of the victims who died Sept. 11, Americans are writing fewer checks to local charities. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., told a group of business leaders recently: "I've had a number of people call and tell me they are getting notes from corporations and individuals who are usual steady donors saying, 'I can't give as much this year,' or 'I can't give at all this year because I've given everything to the funds for Sept. 11.' Many of the ongoing services and charitable needs for the homeless, for AIDS victims, for after-school programs, are beginning to feel a real crunch."
The recession would have slowed charitable giving anyway -- and at a time of growing need. But the added burden of competing with a national tragedy of staggering proportions may be more than many small non-profits can bear.
Part of getting back to normal is remembering that our local communities are composed of elderly people who need hot meals, children who need after-school activities, battered women in need of shelter and homeless people who need mental health care.
In their desire to help New Yorkers in this time of terrible grief and need, Americans so far have donated more than $675-million to charities in New York. That's laudable, but let's not forget that charity begins at home.