Subterranean Radio
Thursdays, 10pm to 1am
WRLR 98.3 FM
The best independent music the top 40's ignore
Local radio at the top of it's holiday game
Showing posts with label social action. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social action. Show all posts
Friday, October 26, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Government Math
LINK benefits have been recalculated for the poor here at Elder House. For you lucky 1%, LINK is the current incarnation of the Food Stamp Program. Most benefits were reduced; however one lady told me hers was raised to $106.58 per month. Her medical expenses went way up and so her food benefit was readjusted. That's not going to help her cancer get any better, but at least she might not starve.
Anyway, that sounded like a lot of money. So I tried to calculate just what she could purchase with that amount. For a breakfast of two slices of toast with cream cheese and jam, one container of yoghurt, and a home brewed coffee: $2.73. Lunch of a homemade tuna sandwich (no lettuce, pickles, or cheese) and a glass of water (from the tap, not purchased): $1.73. A dinner meal consisting of one sixth of a pasta, canned salmon, and mayo casserole: $.79. Total expense: $5.21 for the day.
That sounds really economical. No fruit or fresh vegetables. No milk. Not a whole lot of protein. No variety. No treats of any kind. And no leftovers.
If my friend absolutely, positively sticks to this menu she will spend about $145.88 for the month. See the problem? She cannot afford even this austere menu AND she will be malnourished in the bargain.
LINK benefits do not allow an individual any wiggle room. There is no way to stock up on a bargain; soup at fifty cents a can is a great deal. What other item could she sacrifice? She can switch from cream cheese to food pantry peanut butter and hope that she's here the day the guy shows up with free bread. No brand name products ever. A one pound bag of rice or pasta can stretch quite a way. Imagine it with no butter, no sauce, no spices, and nothing 'on the side'. Food boredom is not allowed for the poor.
This woman worked all her life and now is literally starving most days. Multiply that by a majority of the other tenants and that's a lot of hungry people. LINK and food pantries and sharing with each other are the strategies they use to stay marginally nourished. I know this to be true, even though I am not starving. What this knowledge has done is made me far less critical.
If I see a woman with a LINK card purchasing sugar sweetened Kool Aid and beef jerky, my bet is that those are the few goodies she and her kids will taste that month. I do not begrudge her that small amount splurged on junk food. And I am ashamed of anyone who would. Not unless they have also protested the bank bailouts and defense department overspending that is.
Anyway, that sounded like a lot of money. So I tried to calculate just what she could purchase with that amount. For a breakfast of two slices of toast with cream cheese and jam, one container of yoghurt, and a home brewed coffee: $2.73. Lunch of a homemade tuna sandwich (no lettuce, pickles, or cheese) and a glass of water (from the tap, not purchased): $1.73. A dinner meal consisting of one sixth of a pasta, canned salmon, and mayo casserole: $.79. Total expense: $5.21 for the day.
That sounds really economical. No fruit or fresh vegetables. No milk. Not a whole lot of protein. No variety. No treats of any kind. And no leftovers.
If my friend absolutely, positively sticks to this menu she will spend about $145.88 for the month. See the problem? She cannot afford even this austere menu AND she will be malnourished in the bargain.
LINK benefits do not allow an individual any wiggle room. There is no way to stock up on a bargain; soup at fifty cents a can is a great deal. What other item could she sacrifice? She can switch from cream cheese to food pantry peanut butter and hope that she's here the day the guy shows up with free bread. No brand name products ever. A one pound bag of rice or pasta can stretch quite a way. Imagine it with no butter, no sauce, no spices, and nothing 'on the side'. Food boredom is not allowed for the poor.
This woman worked all her life and now is literally starving most days. Multiply that by a majority of the other tenants and that's a lot of hungry people. LINK and food pantries and sharing with each other are the strategies they use to stay marginally nourished. I know this to be true, even though I am not starving. What this knowledge has done is made me far less critical.
If I see a woman with a LINK card purchasing sugar sweetened Kool Aid and beef jerky, my bet is that those are the few goodies she and her kids will taste that month. I do not begrudge her that small amount splurged on junk food. And I am ashamed of anyone who would. Not unless they have also protested the bank bailouts and defense department overspending that is.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Social Actioning With All Kinds of Style
April 28, 2012
Building 7
College of Lake County
If you weren't there you missed a group of extremely motivated community minded individuals setting (Dare I say it?) ridiculous world records for an excellent cause.
The Social Action Club raised more than $1,600.00 (which amount in and of itself was yet another world record by an outside group) for the Zacharias Center in Gurnee.
The Z Center is one of Lake County's premier organizations for absolutely free treatment, counseling, and support for survivors of sexual abuse or domestic violence.
The club members and their families spent the day smacking tennis balls with hand sanitizer, filling their pockets with ice cubes, shooting baskets with stuffed animals, singing "Twinkle Twinkle" while munching jumbo marshmallows, and bouncing on a pogo stick while naming African countries after swallowing two (TWO!) jalapeno peppers to name just a few record shattering attempts.
All world records must be verified by the Recordsetter organization of course.
Kudos to all!
Especially the young Cullen brothers, Eli and Xavy, who raised almost $600.00 in pledges on their own. And who behaved in such an exemplary manner for over five hours! No whining or arguing and no video games. Kids at their best!
There were also yummy baked goods, peanut butter free puppy chow, and a big assortment of the kind of candy forbidden by parents everywhere. I highly recommend the almond bear claw. My understanding is that another bake sale with freshly made treats, is to be held on campus this coming Thursday. Definitely, check it out!
Oh! The raffle will also continue, but that glitter lava lamp is going to be mine! (Seriously! I never gamble,but I put my money down on a chance for that sparkly thang!)
So, my Persons of the Week Award goes to the members of the CLC Social Action Club, all their remarkable family members, and their fearless leader Professor Mick Cullen.
Mark your calendars for next year's event!
And consider smashing or setting some records of your own!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)