Direct Assistance
Six years ago, most families seeking assistance from our food pantry were receiving welfare payments. Today, most have jobs but are struggling to gain security and stability. They lack skills, experience and education to qualify for high paying jobs. Thirty percent of our clients have not graduated from high school. When they do find work, it's jobs such as food service worker, cashier, file clerk, nurse's aide and clothing presser. These low paying jobs often do not have benefits. Wages are paid hourly and weekly hours worked can vary greatly.
A Census Bureau study (U.S. Census Bureau, the Official Statistics July 8, 1998-) shows "poverty as a trap door for a few and a revolving door for many." Over a three-year span 30.3% of the nation's population lived below the poverty line for at least two months. But just 5.3% stayed poor for more than two full years. Out of 2,000 different families receiving food assistance at Cristo Rey last year, only 9% had requested assistance more than two times.
When all goes well, low-income families get by. But if one thing goes wrong-an illness, a broken car, high utility bills, a reduction in hours at work, or even a worn out pair of shoes -their fragile budget can crack open. Families use their available cash for rent, heat or medical bills, and food is the one item that people keep moving down the list. When cash runs out, they turn to the food bank. Assistance can save a family of four $140 and give them a chance to get on their feet again.
The Cristo Rey Direct Assistance Program provides food, clothing and household items to over 5,000 low-income families in our community. We link families to other agencies when they need other specialized services such as utility, rent, mortgage or shelter assistance. We also assist families in resolving situations causing the emergency.
Our program is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Families are qualified for food assistance based on Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) rules. All clients requesting food are cleared through the GLFB to determine their eligibility and avoid duplication of services. The GLFB assigns a case number to each family and tracks them through the food bank system. Clients must have: an emergency need, an identification or Social Security card and a document that verifies the number of people in the household. The GLFB checks the family on their data system for duplication of service. They maintain records for all the food closets in the community.
Clients are able to receive assistance only once in thirty days. Families are assigned to a food closet based on their zip code. In addition, Cristo Rey is assigned Spanish- speaking families. Clients who need furniture or appliances are put on a waiting list. Because we do not have storage space we match client requests to available donations. When a donation is picked up, it is delivered it to the client. Clients who need clothing are able to select what they need from our Clothing Bank that is staffed by volunteers.
