Dear Editor,
If you are fortunate enough to still have your job, have not
lost your home to foreclosure, and are able to put enough food on
the table, you are really blessed. Gilroy is currently experiencing
more than 17 percent unemployment
– one in six working adults. Many families that never expected
to have to choose between buying food or a roof over their heads
are now faced with that hard choice.
Seventeen percent unemployed – St. Joseph’s needs your help to lend a hand
Dear Editor,
If you are fortunate enough to still have your job, have not lost your home to foreclosure, and are able to put enough food on the table, you are really blessed. Gilroy is currently experiencing more than 17 percent unemployment – one in six working adults. Many families that never expected to have to choose between buying food or a roof over their heads are now faced with that hard choice.
The Department of Agriculture reports that hunger and food insecurity (the inability to routinely provide adequate food for the family) in the U.S. has reached the highest level since records have been kept.
St. Joseph’s Family Center is the place that most South County families turn to when they do not have enough to eat. St. Joseph’s is now providing food or services to 7 percent of the entire population of Gilroy!
More than half are children. Most of the families St. Joseph’s helps have one or more adults working but their household incomes are extremely low, averaging less than $1,100 per month for a family of four.
The recession has hit St. Joseph’s doubly hard: more and more people are seeking its help for daily survival, plus long-time donors are facing hardships themselves and have had to reduce their donations.
St. Joseph’s needs your help.
Donations of canned fruit, canned tuna, turkeys, chickens, and other protein allows St. Joseph’s to put nutritious food baskets together. New toothbrushes and toothpaste, socks and underwear help families take care of basics. New toys will brighten children’s Christmas morning.
Deliveries can be dropped off at St. Joseph’s at 7950 Church St., one half block north of First Street, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local grocery stores are also making it easy for you to donate – you can get a large sack of needed food items at Nob Hill with a $10 donation or you can help fill collection barrels at Safeway. Delivery has all been arranged so you don’t have to make a special trip.
Your financial support is needed the most. St. Joseph’s uses your gifts to augment donated foods, provide hot meals for the homeless and hungry, and to help families avoid becoming homeless. Please send your checks to the above address or you may donate online at www.stjosephsgilroy.org.
Gilroy is generous and your generosity is needed more than ever. Thank you for whatever you feel moved to give; you will make a huge difference in the lives of the less fortunate.
Sherri Stuart, Gilroy, former board member
St. Joseph’s Family Center
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.
Marijuana should be legal ‘for anyone to grow and smoke …’
Dear Editor,
The city shouldn’t have to shut down the pot shop. Pot should be legal. Legal for anyone to grow and smoke. Period.
Michael E. Johnson, Gilroy
Endless Obama meetings all to avoid the ultimate responsibility
Dear Editor,
When management wants to avoid responsibility for a given issue they form a committee. On this committee they put people with the right-sounding credentials. They hold a series of meetings fraught with numerous speeches and pronouncements. In the end nothing gets resolved, but management gets credit for addressing the issue.
The Obama administration is doing the same thing. They are holding endless meetings about Afghanistan achieving nothing.
Now they are scheduling “high level” summits to address “job creation.” All of the “right people” will be there; none of them will have a clue. In the end they will decide more government and controls are needed.
Keith C. De Filippis, San Jose
