Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 3-31-17

Special To The Florida Sentinel Bulletin
Family Forum Shows Why Caring Comes First
Submitted By Ward Cox
It may seem pretty dis- couraging these days, but the light inside people still shines even when times are tough. That fact was especially clear at the Family Forum that was hosted by St. James House of Prayer Episcopal Church on Thursday, March 23rd.
The forum was the first of at least four that will take place in the next few weeks as part of the Family Town Hall Series. It gives people who count on social services the chance to share what they’re going through in trying to make ends meet.
For The Family has devel- oped the Series so that the community can realize that, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” Pastors On Patrol has been a co-sponsor since it began in 2013.
A lot of people are in that situation, and the accounts of three ladies who attended the forum are especially com- pelling.
Ellenor Moncrief
moved to Plant City from sub- urban New York City fifteen years ago. She worries that an inadequate bus system will make it difficult for her to get around if she ever becomes unable to drive. A retired fi- nancial analyst, Ms. Mon- crief says, “I’d be up the creek
Sasha Cruz (L), Ellenor Moncrief, and Virginia McKinney share their challenges at the Family Forum.
ured in, Sasha say that “we’re just living day to day.”
Virginia McKinney and her husband of 14 years are re- tirees living in Tampa. “My husband retired from the rail- road in 1998, and owned his home free and clear before he went into debt helping his family and had to refinance.”
The couple makes do on limited SSI benefits, but have to cut corners everywhere they turn. She thought that they would be able to receive Med- icaid after receiving a letter asking them to apply for ben- efits, but their application was ultimately denied. “My three children help make up the dif- ference when they can, but it’s not enough.” However, Vir- ginia quickly added that their many good friends add a lot to their happiness and that she feels blessed.
Ward Cox is Administra- tor of For The Family.
without a paddle,” if she had to rely on her Social Security by itself.
Her situation, along with everyone who receives Social Security, is made more diffi- cult by the fact that it has only risen by a total of 2% in the past two years.
“Eating healthy food is pretty tough these days. It’s not just seniors that are hurt by bad diets, but we need to think about the harm it’s doing to kids,” Ms. Moncrief said.
Sasha Cruz of Tampa is among the many who think about that a lot. She and her fiancé are raising five children between the ages of one and eleven, including a niece that she adopted to keep her from being placed in foster care. “We cut every corner we can,
but we couldn’t make it with- out the food the church gives us.” She primarily buys “stuff that lasts, like spaghetti, soups, noodles, and cereals. It’s really tough because my 1- year old has stomach prob- lems.”
Her family receives $338/month in food stamps. In addition to the 10% reduc- tion in food stamp benefits that is taking place across the U. S., state lawmakers are now considering a further cut in benefits for 230,000 Floridi- ans. The vast majority are ei- ther children, seniors, or people with disabilities.
Caring Comes First
Ms. Cruz had been work- ing in a retail store until re- cently, but is looking for
another job because the store could only give her four hours per week. “That isn’t worth it when you figure what child care costs.” Fortunately, her fiancé works between 40 and 45 hours per week even though he suffers from heart problems that required sur- gery a short time ago. By the time rent and utilities are fig-
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