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As job losses mount and the demand for social services grows, donations are down. Food pantries are counting on holiday giving.
By MONIQUE FIELDS
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 24, 2001
CLEARWATER -- Norval Hendrix Sr. was laid off from his dishwashing job Sept. 21.
He lost his place to stay, and he spent his $1,500 savings on a hotel room and food. Now four weeks later, he has no money and sleeps on downtown Clearwater streets.
Despite his situation, Hendrix, 52, is confident he will find a job.
"I'm going to be working next week somewhere," he said Tuesday while eating his only meal of the day at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen. "I'm tired of sleeping outside."
He and others like him are placing a strain on Pinellas County's social services as layoffs, reduced workweeks and job losses mount.
About 5,000 jobs have vanished since July, according to WorkNet Pinellas, which administers the county's welfare-to-work program, unemployment and one-stop career centers.
Unemployment in Pinellas has risen from 2.5 percent this time last year to 3.4 percent. The rising figures are uncommon in a county that has charted growth in jobs in recent years. But in October alone, the county lost 1,000 jobs as businesses shut their doors, and the events of Sept. 11 certainly didn't help matters, said Bonnie Moore, executive director of WorkNet.
"Our unemployment is low, but it's edging up," she said.
As a result, the shelves are almost bare at the Religious Community Services food pantry. The number of people being fed at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen has jumped more than 30 percent in two months. And the Salvation Army of Upper Pinellas County hasn't provided food to anyone in two weeks.
"I can't give you anything," said Gregg Rose, director of social services at the Salvation Army for Upper Pinellas County. "I can't even write food vouchers. Right now, we're just kind of waiting for the holiday season to hit."
Social service centers are facing higher demands for services. At the same time, they are facing significant declines in donations.
The food pantry helped 764 people in September 2000. Last month, the number shot to 3,113, a 307 percent increase.
"Look at this," said Jamia Austin, director of the food pantry. "We're almost empty here. We're seeing an average of 21 new households a day."
To make the food stretch for as long as possible, the food pantry has cut in half the number of canned and dry goods it gives to families each month. A family of four used to receive 15 canned goods. Now it's seven. That same family of four now receives three dry goods, such as rice and cereal, instead of six. On a typical day, the St. Vincent soup kitchen feeds about 140 people. On Monday, 196 lined up for a meal. The program also has grown on Sunday from 200 people to 235, said Mary Lou Guthart, executive director of the soup kitchen.
"It's going to be interesting to see what happens this (holiday) year because people have sent their money to New York," Guthart said.
Agencies across the county report the same.
A sign at ASAP Homeless Services informs those who used to come on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a clean set of clothing that they will not receive that help until further notice.
The agency has seen a sharp decline in in-kind donations, such as clothes and personal hygiene items. Executive Debbie Rowland fears that may be a precursor of the holiday season, a time when most charities take in their largest donations.
In October, residents usually call and offer to help provide food, clothes and gifts for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
By Tuesday, Rowland hadn't heard a word from anyone.
Agencies are also seeing a different kind of client. The St. Petersburg Free Clinic has seen increasing numbers of people who have never had to turn to social services for help. They have spent their money on rent or food but can't pay the electric bill. Or they have lost their health insurance and need basic medical treatment, said Jane Egbert, the clinic's executive director.
"It's difficult because our demand is up and our resources are used to only stretching so far," she said.
And still people need help -- a lot of it.
Hendrix walked up and down U.S. 19 filling out job applications Tuesday. He is still looking for a job.