Published in the Westchester Guardian, December 2013
“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
How do you combat the incessant need faced by our poor neighbors? Every generation has their challenges and the people to overcome them. Our generation, our community of New Rochelle has Hope Community Services fighting a battle against poverty that will never end. What happens today at Hope, in this old former Catholic High School basement, determines the soul of future generations.
Started in 1984 strictly as a soup kitchen and food pantry, this 501©3 corporation adapted to the changing environment and grew to become this multifaceted operation. Through strong leadership, they established ways to help the community beyond simply the distribution of healthy groceries. Sometimes people need just a small package until the next payday. Sometimes, there are deeper, complicated issues. Along with distributing 463,010 free meals in 2012, they provided assistance with mental health, domestic violence and housing concerns and in the process becoming the largest provider of such services in Westchester.
We can do no great things, only small things with great love. ~Mother Teresa
Matters of assisting are complicated and the logistics formidable. Nonprofit organizations have the same problems and contentions like any other business and more because of their corporate, tax exempt status, other issues and policies come into account. Rent, utility and telephone services are not donated. Insurance is always needed and regulations have a cost affect. While there may be a strong volunteer effort, a minimum paid staff is necessary. Also, a healthy charitable program, through the service of hot sit down meals or the distribution of prepackaged food, (Hope does both and more) requires an organization that operates with precision and discipline. With a barebones operation, thanks to 300 volunteers, donations and grants, this community enterprise reaches many of our multi-ethnic city, leaving a lasting impact of generosity and kindness. However, what is not donated must be purchased. Since thirty per cent of food is contributed (and greatly appreciated by Hope) from our City’s widely diverse population and religious institutions, the remaining seventy per cent is a detrimental cost factor, especially with the 4% inflation rate on food products. ( Most of the food arrives from the Food Bank – lower than market price but still affected by the inflation rate).Through these difficult times, a remarkably high ninety-four cents out of every dollar donated goes towards their clientele.
Those served are the working poor, the immigrant, the physically and the mentally ill, many with dual diagnosis. They are our neighbors and maybe family members. The working poor represent a growing eighty per cent of their clientele because the minimum wage has not increased with inflation. Currently, this wage, is actually worth $2 less than it was in 1968, when adjusted for inflation, according to a June study by the non-partisan Economic Policy Institute.
“We can no longer trust in the unseen forces and the invisible hand of the market. Pope Francis.
The Food Pantry
Six hundred children are on the list “of 1,062 of New Rochelle’s low income families, homeless individuals, seniors and the disabled” receiving food. Their pantry distributes carefully, chosen, neatly packed, nutritional shopping bags to New Rochelle residents, with identification, every other Wednesday. In 2012, 426,380 meals were provided, through the distribution of 18,700 nutritionally balanced bags of food. Those wanting to receive must present a Medicaid Id card, proof of residence for the last 9-12 months and a photo Id. They will then obtain a separate ID from Hope with a bar code that is scanned upon each visit through their own computerized validation system. The amount a family receives is determined by their individual situation. Currently, on average, 600 hundred bags are distributed every two weeks. More are handed out in the winter as summer seasonal jobs end.
There is an unbelievable amount of behind the scenes work and logistics that goes into food distribution, where an assembly-line processing. Every corner and niche is utilized to the fullest with goods stacked and arranged on pallets. At 7:30 am the line begins to form for the 9 am opening. By the afternoon – the work from two weeks of effort has been completed – all by volunteers. For Thanksgiving, 735 bags and 700 turkeys were distributed.
The Soup Kitchen
One of the first things a visitor notices about the dining room are the brightly colored, table clothes, which adds a warm and welcoming feeling to this old, clean, simply adorned, adjacent basement room that now brings needed joy, companionship and of course nutrition to a sometimes hidden segment of our society. Three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and the last two Mondays of the month), congregates from New Rochelle, gather pleasantly and orderly for a fresh and healthy meal. Eighteen tables, ten neighbors per table, averaging 150 individuals per day (including 25-30 children), and increasing, are lives on this journey being uplifted out of personal misfortune. The soup kitchen served 36,630 of our neighbors in 2012. Here, Hope staff are able to sit and talk in a comfortable, non-threatening atmosphere, reaching out to individuals and their families, delving into deeper issues, seeing if further assistance is needed.
The Social Programs
The issues of assistance are more complex than previous generations realized. Now, our society recognizes that an individual’s needs extend beyond the want for nutrition. There are health issues, both physical and psychological requiring attention. Handing out food without treating underlying issues does little to help long-term problems. Our Hope Community Services has developed programs to deal with situations that extend beyond food assistance.
Addressing the changing environment and deeper tribulations, Hope established the Community Outreach and Self Sufficiency Program serving 1,490 clients a year from the growing Hispanic community and 100 new immigrants. For people with HIV/Aids and housing issues, counseling services are provided. To address domestic violence issues, another program provides housing and case management. Finally, they connected with HUD and DSS to keep many families from becoming homeless. What is accomplished is a witness that our world can reach out profoundly on a local level.
The Future
Funding is always tenuous and precarious, with twenty-five per-cent originating from various government sources, the remainder must be conjured by private sectors such as religious institutions, foundations and individuals. Grants are obtainable, but the availability of cash has been decreasing. Cash flow is challenging with virtually no cushion. Collecting 600 toys for children for the Holidays is a short-term issue and the need for a larger facility is a long-term concern. Also, they do not have any substantial program for the home bound – another hidden segment.
“A man should always bear in mind that his desire for profit is for the purpose of being able to donate to Charity.” -Likkutei Etzotyh ha-shalem by Rabbi Nachman Bratzlaver.
HOPE Community Services, (914) 636-4010, info@hope-cs.org
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