Today is Thursday, October 29th. I met 2 extraordinary men who depend on the Hunger Network for food. Why are these men extraordinary? Because they have both served our country as a member of the military... One just got back from Iraq and the other is a Vietnam War veteran.
Joel is 32 years old and has 12 years of military service. He is currently in the Army Reserved. Back in 2006 he was deployed to Iraq for 16 months. When he returned home toward the end of 2007, he found himself with out a job and a family to support. Joel has spent the last 2 years looking for work in security or really anything because he needs a job. He has gone on lots of interviews and filled out hundreds of application but is never chosen for the position. Kellie his fiance was only able to find a part time job. Not knowing what else to do and with small children to feed, they turned to the Hunger Network for help. Without the help of the Hunger Network... Joel says it is not about feeding himself because he could go without.... it is about feeding his children.
Roger is a 62 year old Vietnam War Veteran with service with the US Navy. He served 6 months in Vietnam before he was injured. Once he returned home and for the last 30 year or so, Roger worked in security and did some factory work. Following his wife and father's deaths in the last few year... He took in his 88 year old mother. About 3 years ago... Roger's health took a turn for the worst and now he is unable to work at all. Roger now lives on a fixed income and after rent and utilities... he doesn't have enough money for food for him and his mother. He also turned to the Hunger Network for help. Roger says that the volunteers at the hunger center are so nice and he is thankful every day for the help.
Hearing these 2 stories for the first time this morning, makes me understand even more how important the work of the Hunger Network is because if anyone should receive help... it is those in the military.... just like we depended on them... they depend on us!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
It can happen to anyone!
Today we spoke with people in need at the Hunger Network's Parma Hunger Center. The Parma area has been hit very hard with the jobs losses in the auto industry and more. In fact the Parma Hunger center is providing food to 40% more individuals in 2009 then in 2008... That is just incredible.
Of the 8 people we spoke with today 7 of them have lost their jobs in the last year. These are hard working people that never thought they would end up needing help. Two stories in particular were very heart breaking.
Joann is a woman in her late 40s/early 50s. Her husband passed away when her 2 daughters were very young. She was determined to survive and worked 2 jobs to put herself through school and both of her daughters through college. She succeed at all of those things including providing her family with a respectable 4 bedroom home and living a typical middle class life. She has spent last several years in the medical research field. Then in the winter of 2009 her nightmare began. The research she was working was shut down and Joann found herself without a job. Unable to keep up with her mortgage, her house is currently for sale. Joann has done everything she can think of to find a job... She is working with headhunters and has sent out over 500 resumes. Everyone tells her that she has too much experience for them to hire her. Running out of options, she has turned to the Hunger Network for help.
Gary is 49 year old divorced man with a 24 year old child. He has an engineering degree and has worked as a mechanical engineer. Gary has been working since he was 16. He recalls having money taken out of his paychecks to help charities. Just over one year ago, Gary was laid off for the first time in his life. Gary has tried everything to find a job but he also told that he has too much experience. Gary tells them he is will to work for anything just to survive. He currently spends 4-5 hours every day trying to find a job. Gary worries that he only has another month in his apartment. With his unemployment not enough to cover rent, utilities and food... He turned to the Hunger Network of help.
Joann and Gary are not alone... so many people in the greater Cleveland area are suffering. We need your help. Please consider making a donation to the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland
Of the 8 people we spoke with today 7 of them have lost their jobs in the last year. These are hard working people that never thought they would end up needing help. Two stories in particular were very heart breaking.
Joann is a woman in her late 40s/early 50s. Her husband passed away when her 2 daughters were very young. She was determined to survive and worked 2 jobs to put herself through school and both of her daughters through college. She succeed at all of those things including providing her family with a respectable 4 bedroom home and living a typical middle class life. She has spent last several years in the medical research field. Then in the winter of 2009 her nightmare began. The research she was working was shut down and Joann found herself without a job. Unable to keep up with her mortgage, her house is currently for sale. Joann has done everything she can think of to find a job... She is working with headhunters and has sent out over 500 resumes. Everyone tells her that she has too much experience for them to hire her. Running out of options, she has turned to the Hunger Network for help.
Gary is 49 year old divorced man with a 24 year old child. He has an engineering degree and has worked as a mechanical engineer. Gary has been working since he was 16. He recalls having money taken out of his paychecks to help charities. Just over one year ago, Gary was laid off for the first time in his life. Gary has tried everything to find a job but he also told that he has too much experience. Gary tells them he is will to work for anything just to survive. He currently spends 4-5 hours every day trying to find a job. Gary worries that he only has another month in his apartment. With his unemployment not enough to cover rent, utilities and food... He turned to the Hunger Network of help.
Joann and Gary are not alone... so many people in the greater Cleveland area are suffering. We need your help. Please consider making a donation to the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland
Thursday, October 15, 2009
THE HUNGERNETWORK LAUNCHES TO STOP HUNGER IN ITS TRACKS WITH OUR NEW & IMPROVED WEBSITE
WELCOME to the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland's brand new site! The website has undergone a one year re-innovation process, now offering hunger fighters a more interactive experience sharing personal stories, videos, and blogs. This updated site is simple to navigate and provides you easy access to information about us, the latest news, ways you can help, upcoming event information, and ways to receive our help. With the holiday season fast approaching, the Hunger Network is hosting several events to aid those suffering during this special time of the year. View the list of events on our site!
You can help! In this current economic environment, more hungry people are coming to our centers for emergency food than ever before. Our enhanced website presents the convenience of donating online, as well as information regarding ways to volunteer.
Explore our site to learn more about the Hunger Network and its history in the fight against hunger. Our mission is to reduce hunger in the Cuyahoga County community by providing food and linkages to other vital services for hungry people, especially children and families, by actively participating in a coordinated response to people in need. Spread the word and get involved in the fight to stop hunger in its tracks!
Let us know what you think of the new site! Comment and keep logging in for our latest blogs!
A special thank you to 3VERB,Inc., the host of our website, for donating their design, as well as the Hunger Network's Volunteer Marketing Committee for their time and dedication in this one year transformation.
Let us know what you think of the new site. Comment and keep logging in for our latest blogs!
You can help! In this current economic environment, more hungry people are coming to our centers for emergency food than ever before. Our enhanced website presents the convenience of donating online, as well as information regarding ways to volunteer.
Explore our site to learn more about the Hunger Network and its history in the fight against hunger. Our mission is to reduce hunger in the Cuyahoga County community by providing food and linkages to other vital services for hungry people, especially children and families, by actively participating in a coordinated response to people in need. Spread the word and get involved in the fight to stop hunger in its tracks!
Let us know what you think of the new site! Comment and keep logging in for our latest blogs!
A special thank you to 3VERB,Inc., the host of our website, for donating their design, as well as the Hunger Network's Volunteer Marketing Committee for their time and dedication in this one year transformation.
Let us know what you think of the new site. Comment and keep logging in for our latest blogs!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Thank You
The Hunger Network would like to thank everyone that attended Rolling on the River, Friday, October 2nd. This 3rd year event hosted over 250 people and raised over $34,000 for the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland.
Party goers enjoyed casino style gambling, live music from Jugular Jack, food, wine, beer, silent auction and raffle.
View pictures for the event here: http://cleveland.metromix.com/events/photogallery/cleve-lens-rolling-on/1512606/content
A special thank you to event chair, Tim Carney, and his committee for their dedication to the success of the event. We would also like to thank presenting sponsor, Ferro Corporation, for their continued support.
Party goers enjoyed casino style gambling, live music from Jugular Jack, food, wine, beer, silent auction and raffle.
View pictures for the event here: http://cleveland.metromix.com/events/photogallery/cleve-lens-rolling-on/1512606/content
A special thank you to event chair, Tim Carney, and his committee for their dedication to the success of the event. We would also like to thank presenting sponsor, Ferro Corporation, for their continued support.
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