We were the lucky ones in the storm last night. High winds knocked down trees and power lines and put things on and through roofs. Some are waiting for power almost 24 hours later. Others have flooded basements. Today it is in the 60's and by Saturday we will be in the high 90's with sky high humidity.
Today was my day in the charity office. One couple came in for help with rent. They are in their late 50's and the husband receives disability, a small two digit monthly pension, a small SNAP amount and a reduced rent apartment. The wife/partner has seizures and has been denied disability four times. She used to receive SNAP but it was taken away for new work requirements. She obtained a part-time job at McDonalds. She had three seizures at work the first month and was let go. Not only is she not receiving SNAP benefits, the amount of rent they pay was increased based on the income from the job she no longer has. Their income is now about $175 a month less than their basic expenses and I referred them to food banks.
The apartment complex is helping them with paperwork to renegotiate the rent, but they are in the hole this month and at least next month. So - work requirements. Bah Humbug.
I was scrolling Facebook this morning. Facebook is interesting in a small town and we have lots of smaller villages that are neighbors. Here is a sample from today:
(That one was an invitation to a village council meeting.)
I hate to say it, but I think if I was Nancy I would probably block her too.
Good morning. I'm a regular reader of your blog, and a first time commenter. Thank you for all of the work you are doing in assisting others who are struggling financially at this time in their lives. The scary orange man in office has caused so much havoc.
ReplyDeleteWhere I live, the local farmers rely on migrant workers to work on dairy farms (work that most people would not do!), as well as help with seasonal crops. The recent immigration policy changes are hurting many of these dairy/vegetable farmers, typically a group that might vote red. It will be interesting to see if Scary Orange Man will alter his policies to keep his voting base intact.
Carole
I'm so very grateful you didn't have storm damage. NO fun at all. And your work at the charity is so good. I feel for this family and so many like them whose situations will be getting worse through no fault of their own. The FB page cracked me up. Have you ever read Vivian Swift's "When Wanderers Cease to Roam" -- her gorgeously illustrated book on living in a village for a year (I think she still lives there, though by now, not a village!). It goes month by month. Every couple of years I reread it in a monthly way -- following her June this month. She chronicles all the things like you showed in the memes (and her life too) in art and words. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteI used to find it Entertaining, mildly so, to read the Community Online Newsletter in affluent Subdivision Hell, so pretentious and childish, it was like an episode of Real Housewives! I'm sure the new Work Requirements will force unsuitably disabled people into workplaces that cannot sustain the liability of having them. It's just a handy way to deny and suspend benefits to the eligible to receive them and disqualify people so they have to go thru the whole Dog and Pony Show to be Requalified, or Denied ad nauseum, in spite of eligibility, and at the whim of a Cruel and uncaring Regime that wants all "Undesirables" to be on the Hurry Up And Die Program.
ReplyDeleteThe humor or silliness of FB. I see some hilarious posts on the community page that make me giggle.
ReplyDeleteSo many people want to move to our area thinking we are a place for many handouts. Our community is giving, but the asks are pretty insane sometimes. One lady asked for a sleeping roll and a tent so she could live in our town. I didn't think that was sustainable at all, especially when winter comes.
FB is nuts and I once in a while just cruise through it to see what weird stuff is next.
FB, especially the community pages has some pretty interesting posts!
ReplyDeleteI guess you are seeing firsthand the results of the cruelty happening. The notices are funny and familiar!
ReplyDeleteI'm also in a few FB groups and I'm appalled at how mean people are. I'm in a couple RVing groups and people are so snarky, rude and downright awful. They are supposed to be fun groups sharing about travels or asking repair questions. I'm so disappointed in people as a whole on social media. I guess I'm not able to change anything except my own little corner of the interweb.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and hugs,
Betsy
I closed my Facebook account about two months ago and haven't looked back since! For me it was a relief. I was not part of any groups but I began to see posts about our (then) upcoming Canadian election and was appalled at the negativity and some nasty remarks. (not towards myself, but about some of the politicians). Yes, none of them is perfect, I realize this but I just thought that it was time I close my account and so I did. And I was on Facebook for decades.
ReplyDeleteLMAO!! I really enjoyed this post...Face book is quite a funny place...I have learned to ignore quite a bit...Thanks so much for stopping by!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Oh my, hope there was some help for the older couple.
ReplyDelete