What one suburban town does to help the homeless and needy
The balance of the money comes from fund raisers and donations. This is a town of generous people. Some say we are too generous because people who never lived here have migrated to Manchester specifically for the benefits.
The outreach to the needy has grown over the years. In 2002 we have a homeless shelter and are looking to enlarge to have a family shelter as well. We have a soup kitchen all year long, and a summer food program for children. Our food pantry helps any one who has run out of money for food. It is usually used by welfare moms who have used up their food stamps for the month and need a week's supply before their next check. Our clothing bank is like a fine retail store, manned by volunteers who help welfare clients select clothing for free. Others can use the facility as well and pay only $1 or $2 for clean, barely used and new clothing.
An out reach worker has an office on Spruce Street where many welfare clients live. She helps people find the the services they need.
There is a back to work program also. It started with the Manchester Area Retarded Citizens group. After many years, the retarded were trained and placed in jobs. This was so successful the state asked the founder to extend the program to the habitually unemployed.
The Salvation Army runs an after school program that combines fun with help with school work.
All the churches take a turn at sponsoring the annual Thanksgiving dinner for anyone who is without family or funds.
Recently, they added a Christmas dinner as well when the groups realized there were no places for the needy to go on Christmas day.
No holiday passes without a food basket drive that goes to the working poor, retired people in need, and welfare recipients.
It isn't that Manchester is a wealthy town, though we do have a large population of doctors, lawyers, and others who are well off, most residents are middle income workers. Manchester cares for its own.
I'm proud to be part of it. That is one of the reasons I started this homelessness site at suite101. I want to educate people to the needs of others. I want readers to know that many homeless are good people down on their luck. I want others to care and to support programs in their towns. Together we can solve the problem
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