Show Gratitude to the Helpers with Support
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
“We must talk about poverty, because people insulated by their own comfort lose sight of it.” - Dorothy Day
As we enter the holiday season and are offered a chance to reflect on gratitude for those around us who are making a difference, the Anderson Observer is highlighting a few of our neighbors whose lights shine brightly (even when no one seems to notice).
Today, let’s give thanks to the helpers in our charitable organizations, those who devote their lives to improve the lot of our neighbors, friends and family members who are in need.
The list is long of those in Anderson County who spend their days finding ways to provide food, clothing, housing, education assistance, health care, a warm place to sleep and/or a kind word to people who otherwise might suffer and/or go unnoticed.
There are so many needs that it can seem overwhelming to those of us who can easily lose sight of how many are without the basic necessities such as food, adequate shelter, and/or warm clothing.
The helpers in our community say those numbers are growing, with the fastest growing segment over the age of 65. This increase strains the already lean resources in our community.
Growth has resulted in housing posing the biggest challenge. Over the past three years Anderson has posted the third highest rate of rent/mortgage cost increases in the nation, with prices jumping more than 100 percent. A modest, one-bedroom apartment now averages more than $1,100 (if you can find one), and those rent increases are accelerating every year. More than 60 percent of the working-class citizens in the county rent housing. This is one reason nearly 11 percent of all citizens in the county face some sort of housing instability due to income limitations.
Most who face this issue are categorized as the working poor, those who work full-time who cannot afford the cost of housing. The United Way of Anderson is working on an effort to help this group, with a program known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). The program aims to help those earning more than the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford the basics where they live. ALICE workers were celebrated as essential heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet they do not earn enough to support their own families. ALICE households and households in poverty are forced to make tough choices, such as deciding between quality child care or paying the rent — choices that have long-term consequences not only for their families, but for all.
Ignore the politically generated myths that perpetuate the idea that those who are in need in Anderson County have some sort of character flaw, or are too lazy to work. The statistics do not support such nonsense. Costs have outpaced wages, which leaves the working poor in a precarious situation.
One of the priorities for those taking on the housing challenge - AIM, Hope Missions of the Upstate, Rebuild Upstate, Emmanuel's Hammer, and even Anderson County – is to protect and repair those who are in a house that is in poor condition. Such efforts save untold amounts of money as well as protecting the generational wealth of those who own the homes.
The groups mentioned above are providing little or no-cost repairs to many of those living in aging structures which need work. Again, most of the residents are former working-class folks over the age of 65, with limited income and resources. And the waiting list, which already exceeds 200, grows longer every day. But extending gratitude for those making a dent in the problem is important.
For those who are homeless, the path can be even steeper. Do not be deceived. Despite spurious chatter, more than 90 percent of the unhoused in Anderson are from this area. They are not being bused in from other places, and the few that are not from here mostly came here looking for one of the new jobs announced in the county, which often are months away from hiring. The number of veterans in this group is also increasing.
The options for those on the streets are limited. The Salvation Army of Anderson is the only local overnight shelter for those who have no place to go, with less than 80 total beds and very limited space for families. Their staff and resources are stretched to provide a bed and breakfast at the shelter, which is perpetually at 100 percent occupancy. According to a report done earlier this year, 5,400 citizens of Anderson County experienced some period of homelessness last year.
Hope Missions, located near downtown on Tower Street, provides support services for those without a permanent address. They offer a hot breakfast, clothing, assistance with recovering identification documents, temporary shelter when temperatures drop below freezing, as well as encouragement and friendship. Hope also has a housing navigator which helps their clients find homes. So far this year they have been responsible for hundreds of people finding a place to live.
It's worth asking that the community take a minute to digest any philosophical differences on the operation of great organizations and support their work instead of pointlessly complaining about the homeless situation.
And don’t forget Clean Start, which offers those without a place to take a shower and do laundry, as well as other services.
Meanwhile the number of charities providing food assistance is also seeing an increase in demand. The Anderson Emergency Kitchen’s new location in the old Roy’s Diner building is a wonderful home for a ministry that has been providing a hot meal with no questions asked for decades. South Main Chapel and Mercy Center a short distance away is celebrating 10 years of providing meals as well as other services including some health and mental health services and finding transportation for those needing to get to their jobs.
AIM continues, after three decades, to provide groceries as part of a comprehensive plan to help those in need find a way to a better situation, including financial counseling and a Women and Children Succeeding program which has been transformative in the lives of so many and has helped break generational cycles of poverty for many families.
Meals on Wheels of Anderson takes it on the road, bringing hot meals to more than 600 shut-ins across the county every week. The Haven of Rest, in addition to their other ministries, collects and distributes food and provides drug and alcohol rehabilitation services. The Good Neighbor Cupboard also helps ease the food shortage, as do a number of other groups and churches that regularly feed or provide food to those in need.
There are so many others making a difference, including the Anderson Free Clinic providing health care, including dental and vision and chronic care for those who are uninsured or underinsured. Volunteer medical professionals give of their time and resources, and the community is grateful for their helping spirit.
First Light, which took the new name last year after years as Foothills Alliance, helps victims of sexual abuse and violence, especially women and children. It’s difficult to raise money with so many sensitivities surrounding their work and their clients, but they need and deserve the support of the community.
Last, but not least, Anderson County continues through grants and the support of individual council members, to support efforts to help what the bible calls “the least of these.” Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns recently said the county is committed to helping all citizens, including those who need help. Their resources and partnerships with the groups mentioned above have been invaluable.
The list of these helpers in Anderson County is far longer than can be listed here, but Hope Missions produces a comprehensive resource guide which can be found here.
It’s gratifying to note that the list goes on and on of those who have chosen to be helpers. This Thanksgiving consider supporting one or more of these or some other agency or group with your time or money that could use extra support during the holidays. It will help experience the season of gratitude while changing lives.