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photo by Hannah Reel
Salvation Army employee Otis Hawkins empties the overnight donation drop off boxes at the store located at 509 N. Canal St.
Salvation Army store, Boys & Girls Club forced to close temporarily
Published Monday, August 3, 2009
NATCHEZ — More requests of service and a drop in funding make up the equation that has resulted in financial woes for local non-profit organizations.
The Salvation Army Thrift Store shut its doors on Sunday and will be closed for 30 days in hopes of rejuvenation.
“Our sales are down in our thrift store, and that’s a main source of our social service funding,” Director Janet Trahern said.
During the 30-day period, Salvation Army officials will work to remodel and rearrange the store and stock it with new items, she said.
The Salvation Army, which offers assistance in paying utilities for those in need, will still be operational, Trahern said.
She said a near 10-percent increase in requests for service have put a strain on the Salvation’s Army budget, and she said it can attributed to the economy.
Photo by Hannah Reel
Employee Yvonne Jordan sorts through donated clothes at the store.
The Salvation Army has seen some rough times through the years, she said.
“It hasn’t been this bad (before),” Trahern said.
Donations to the Salvation Army can be sent to the office at 509 N. Canal St.
Catholic Charities Executive Director Martha Mitternight said various Catholic Charities programs have seen an increase in requests for service, as well.
“What we’re experiencing is a tremendous increase in the number of calls or walk-ins that we have who are requiring help to pay their rent, to pay their light bill, put gasoline in their car,” she said.
“So it’s putting a strain on the amount of money we have to distribute to persons in need.”
Donations to Catholic Charities are holding steady, she said, but Mitternight said she is proceeding with caution nonetheless.
“What we’re finding, of course, is to be doubly careful as we screen persons so they are indeed eligible for the program and try to work with them about what their plans are to handle the need for the next month and for months to come,” she said.
Since Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Program only offers assistance to a specific person once a year, Mitternight said it’s vital to make sure the recipient is set up to be independent post-assistance.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Miss-Lou is also currently hurting. The organization closed its club on July 15 due to lack of funds, but hopes to reopen during the school year.
Board President Thomas “Boo” Campbell said the key is to be frugal with funds.
The club will have a golf tournament in September to raise funds, and Campbell said the goal is to raise between $10,000 and $15,000.
“We’ve got to stretch it as much as we can to keep the club afloat,” Campbell said.
“These are just tough times now.”
And in the interim, Campbell said staffing is being re-evaluated at the club to cut back on costs.
This has been an ongoing problem, he said.
“It really began the latter part of last year, the budget began to get real tight,” he said.
Donation to the Boys & Girls Club can be sent to P.O. Box 781, Natchez, MS 39121.
The club can be reached at 601-304-6648.
Comments
Posted by juju (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 2:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
These are wonderful charities , but like everything decent they get abused.
Posted by NoWireHangers (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 6:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was a volunteer at the Salvation Army for about 3 years, most recently in 2007 until I moved out of town. The employees don't keep the "good stuff" for themselves and their families. I urge THE GREAT WHITE and others to volunteer their time at the Thrift Store. You will soon see how well they operate their business and all the good they do to help those in need. I respect all of the employees and volunteers at the Salvation Army because I worked there and know the truth.
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 6:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TGW::: when is the last time you were in the Salvation Army's thrift store? Did you personally see any of the employees ripping off the "good stuff"? Have you ever volunteered your time to help out? Have you ever made a donation? Have you ever done anything but sit on your throne and throw your mud pies?
NWH::: you are so right. I've been there too. I know the people who work at these places and know them to be good people who work very hard for other people. And it is not the money they make or the "good stuff" they can steal that keeps them there. It is the dedication to making things better for their fellow human beings that makes them put in the long hours of dealing with other people's grief and sadness...the long hours begging for donations, working the booths at the balloon festival, or behind the scenes at the fund raisers while everyone else is off having a grand ole time.
These people are the best people I know. And to spout generalizations about something which you so obviously know absolutely nothing about should make so ashamed, TGW. But you'll probably be all dressed up again next Sunday at whatever church reciting the Lord's Prayer and swearing you believe in God and are an astute follower of his son, Jesus, right? I'd study on that a bit if I were you, butthead.
--mojo
Posted by fraidoclowns (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said, Mr. Mojo.
Posted by happyreader (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I never do garage sales with any of my unwanted clothing or other items. I always donate it to a local charity for use in their thrift stores. It's an easy way to help out that just about anyone can do. Does the Salvation Army have drop boxes around town?
Posted by faithblessings (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Boys and Girls club should have some funds from the summer they charged the state of Ms. for food to feed the hundred children that came from 8:00 a.m-5:00 p.m.
All those kids recieved was a sandwich at 11:00 a.m each day. They brought their own food and sacks everyday.
The state laws are every child in your care under the state care are to be given something to eat and drink every two hours. with in 10 hours they should have a balance meal, three too be correct breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.
plus the vouchers from the state that was free money, in the thousands so what happened they should have something?????? I know the state regs. and I was there. It's sad
Posted by faithblessings (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And the salvation army was going to charge a lady that was burned out ten dollars for a pair of use shoes, so I took her to pay less for new shoes, they also have tons of stuff in the ware house by the natchez democrat, right where their church is.........SAD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Preacher (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've worked with the director on several occasions and admire her for her long tenure at TSA. It is a tough and thankless job. I will be giving her a call to see what we can do to help. Even without money, we can make a contribution of time and energy to our benovelence organizations. Everyone is having to adjust. I pray we all make it through these tough economic times and continue to be thankful for the blessings we have.
Posted by flowerpower (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shouldn't they be getting some of the stimulus money?
Posted by ntz143 (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
aithblessings, the BGC did not run the.summer food program, the school district did. The club didn't even open until 1;00. Maybe instead of relying on free meals for your kids that you say weren't enough, you should have fed them at home. Don't knock a program.that kept your kids for free!
Posted by matildastephens (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Boys & Girls Club recently received notification that they were awarded grant fundng from the Miss. Alliance of Boys & Girl Clubs as well as having submitted over $200K in proposed club funding. The Club is still operational but will continue to need community support...they have to have local dollars to offset grant funding requested. Many families have benefitted from this service- where else can someone pick up your child from school, make sure their homework is done, and give them recreation AT NO CHARGE? Its time that everyone...particularly families, who access this service step up and help raise funds.
Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How bout that head of the United Way guy that ripped um off for millions before they caught him. Guess he was running his yacht with donations.
Posted by WhiteOleander (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 11:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Mojo, I think I love you!
Fine and TRUE sentiments. 100% agreement from Oleander!!
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on August 4, 2009 at 12:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks, WO.
It does just tend to make me a bit testy when people let their aligator mouths run away from their hummingbird brains. Especially when they have nothing better to do that spew racism.
The Boys and Girls Club does so much for this community that goes unnoticed and unappreciated. I've been there when mothers sent their children to the club with no lunch after the school system quit providing them at the end of June. Day after day the parents drop their kids off and they come wandering in with no lunch. And day after day I've seen Fay Minor the Executive Director buy these kids hamburgers from her own pocket.
Some of the mothers don't even work, just drop their kids off at the club so someone else can take care of them and feed them for 8 hours. The kids always have snacks. I've unloaded enough trucks full of them myself. Anyone who claims those kids aren't well taken care of can meet me out behind the Martin Gym tomorrow at 3 o'clock for a butt whuppin'.
--mojo
Posted by 3on23 (anonymous) on August 4, 2009 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sorry to hear the Salvation Army Thrift Store is closed but can't wait to see what the new and improved store will look like. It's one of my favorite places to shop.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on August 4, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where are all those people who were screaming for recreation and giving the kids something to do? There it is and there it goes.
Posted by juju (anonymous) on August 4, 2009 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mojo, which one the comments 'spewed racism?!' You say this about once a day at least. Are you alright? They're just saying they're tired of the abusers. And no one said that the poor angels running the BOYS/GIRLS CLUB were bad.
Posted by naturegirl (anonymous) on August 4, 2009 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Would someone tell me where this club is? I have had no idea until the last few weeks that we even had one.
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on August 4, 2009 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It was great white juju...talking about how the crime in the "hood" was blah, blah, blah...I see they removed his comment...
And yes, I get very upset over the rampant racism in my old hometown... I've lived all over the country, and though racism is present everywhere I've been, it is more like a shadow, a hush-hush, dirty little secret in most places. Here it seems to be the only thing on people's minds, or at least the first thing out of their mouths.
Everywhere I've lived when they find out I'm from Mississippi, the first thing they want to know is how could I ever have grown up with all the racism. I've told them I grew up in Natchez, Mississippi, not Selma, AL or one of those places that made the news. I never knew that kind of racism. Sure, we got the little rolled up hate letters on our driveway when the klan would go on a tear now and then. The first time I knew anyone else had those feelings was when all my friends quit high school our senior year because they combined Thompson and NAHS. It was weird, but I figured nearly 40 years later things would have become better, but it seems worse. Both sides seem to be more embittered and hateful. Like not only did we take a giant leap backwards, but we did it all while claiming to be Christians.
It's like Barry McGuire sang in his 1965 protest song, "Eve of Destruction"...
"You may leave here for 4 days in space
But when you return, it’s the same old place
The poundin’ of the drums, the pride and disgrace
You can bury your dead, but don’t leave a trace
Hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace"
I'll always hate racism and I'll always point it out when I see it or hear it. I'm not running for office and I won't speak out of both sides of my mouth to appease anyone.
--mojo
Posted by butch (anonymous) on August 5, 2009 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Juju your user name spews racism ! What happened ? Did the Natchez Dixie Crap not allow you to use black in front of Juju ?
Posted by brock (anonymous) on August 5, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If a tax exempt business has to shut down due to poor sales , etc just imagine what other businesses are going through . I'm running at a deficit and will have to close my online shop soon . Folks it's bad out there .
And just a note on this race thing that Natchezians can't move beyond . No one on this earth today had a choice on what race they would be born into . Just thank the good lord he was merciful enough to allow you to be born into the human race . You could have easily been born a fish , turtle or any other life form . That is for those among us that believe in a higher source . A lot of us are failing miserably as human beings .
Posted by juju (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 2:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
butch, mojo used these words, and WE were conversing. I really don't understand what you're trying to say, however, if you're knocking user names, my imagination is running wild as to why you picked 'butch.'
Posted by butch (anonymous) on August 6, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Butch is my real name I don't need to hide behind one like you Juju !
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