"Operation Feed Our Families" Campaign

With the financial crisis facing this nation, there are countless Americans who do not have enough money to pay their expenses for basic living needs. I personally know what it's like to work day after day and not have earned enough money to pay for food, utilities, rent and other basic needs at the end of the month.

For at lease three years after I was laid off my job at Compton Community College, I lived a financial nightmare. My landlord raised my rent by at least $100 every year until my rent went from $750 a month to over a thousand dollars. Things were so financially bad that when I wrote a check on the first on the month to pay the rent, I traveled from one part-time job to another to collect enough money to deposit in the bank before the check bounced.

There were a few times when I just didn't win the race to the bank.

Not only did the rent increase, but the costs of the gas, electric, and telephone bills all went up while my basic income remained the same. To make matters worst, in 2006, I experienced health problems. The jobs where I worked did not provide healthcare, so I filed for early Social Security and Medi-Cal.

Thank God that I was able to financially survive the more-than six months that are mandated by the federal government before you can receive Social Security even after you become eligible. When my application for Social Security was finally approved, I was limited the amount of money I could earn per month. Unfortunately, financially things did not get much better, but at least I was able to go to the doctors and receive healthcare.

Finally, after three years of struggle, I am financially stable, at least for now, thanks to receiving two media consulting grants. Because I continue to experience the trials, tribulations and challenges of being a working-poor American, I highly recommend the work of the Salvation Army Corps "Operation Feed Our Families" program. The program is responding to the growing cost-of-living crisis that is facing so many of the working poor throughout the nation, providing help with basic needs such as food, utilities, rent assistance, and case management for struggling families.

After living for many years in the cities of Los Angeles, Compton and Long Beach, where there are active Salvation Army facilities, I now live in San Bernardino County. I have recently become more familiar with the local Operation Feed Our Families campaign. In San Bernardino, according to Salvation Army Corps Captain Stephen Ball, the number of individuals in need of at least one hot meal each day has doubled from an average of 150 to 300 in recent months.

"During this time of year, we usually average about 200 individuals and families each day who do not have the means to provide food for themselves," Ball said. "But on Thanksgiving Day, that number skyrockets as [we prepare] to serve between 700 and 900 people," Ball said. "Thanksgiving should be a special day for everyone - not just for those who can afford it."

The annual Thanksgiving Day tradition attracts people from all parts of the Inland Empire region, which is made up of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, just east of Los Angeles. The Salvation Army in San Bernardino will serve holiday dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 27 at its headquarters at 746 W. 5th Street in the City of San Bernardino.

Thanksgiving also heralds the arrival of Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringers, beginning November 21.

"The Bell Ringers are almost as much a part of the Christmas season as Santa Claus himself," said Ball. "The Salvation Amy of Bell Ringers helps to fill those Red Kettles, raising monies toward Christmas gifts and food for needy families, as well as support for Salvation Army programs through the winter months."

Visit www.OperationFeedOurFamilies.org on the Internet or call (800) SAL-ARMY for more information on the Salvation Army.

Ronald Ellerbe is editor of the Hub City News and columnist for LA Beez.