In the midst of all this District chaos and budget upset, there is another perspective. We have many in our community that have been severely impacted by the economic downturn. We need to help each other. Many families have lost employment or a major part of their income.
From a student perspective (which represents families in our community), we have about 60% (3 out of every 5) of our students at or below the poverty line and therefore receiving federal “free or reduced” meals. We have 1,500 students that are homeless and are in fairly dire straits. Of greatest concern, we have students that we suspect ONLY get to eat when they are at school (breakfast & lunch programs). One of our local non-profit organizations come together weekly, to provide 500 of our neediest students with a backpack full of non-perishable food to assist them through the weekend. What happens to them on a 4-day "weekend" like this one? These are desperate times.
Our Mayor has appropriately talked somewhat regularly about the social capital in Riverside. I hope that part of our collective capital is going to assist those that struggle more than we do. Do you know of efforts in our community to assist others less fortunate than ourselves?
Unfortunately many of our newly pink slipped teachers will be joining this unfortunate statistic. It’s not like surrounding districts are hiring. Maybe teachers can get free or reduced lunch too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dr. Miller for bringing us back to the truth or our situation. The truth of our city and state's economic situation - not just our school district's - and the truth about what we need more then money - compassion and the desire to care for eachother. More families then ever are having to fill out that free lunch application. Something they NEVER thought they would have to do. Many are not proud of choices or sacrifices they have to make and those choices come at a GREAT cost to their family. Two community agencies come to mind when I think of help with food for families: The Treasure Box (treasurebox.org) provides healthy meals for a family of 4 for $30/week. Project Food (653-2529) provides a similar service for $25/week.
ReplyDeleteLack of money in our school district is scary, lack of concern for others would be scarier!