— One of the unpleasant side effects of economic hard times is that those who have devoted their lives to helping unfortunate people find they have fewer resources available to do the job. This is combined with an increased need.
Put in simple terms: At a time when the demand goes up, the supply goes down.
The Cumberland Chapter of Goodwill Industries said recently it is facing this problem. Goodwill provides low-cost clothing and household goods in its stores, and it trains people to work at various jobs.
Tough times are sending more people to Goodwill’s stores, but they’re also causing other people to hold onto the pots, pans, dishes and other items they might donate during good times and replace them with new articles.
A Goodwill spokesman said the need isn’t necessarily for clothing, but for other like bedspreads, electrical devices and other housewares that would cost much more in regular stores.
Goodwill isn’t the only organization that faces a lack of resources. The Salvation Army, the Union Rescue Mission, the American Red Cross and food pantries exist to help those who need help the most, and charities across the country are operating under the same conditions.
In one way or another, we’re all in the same boat. Just because you don’t need help now doesn’t mean you won’t need it tomorrow or the next day. You or someone you know might be going to Goodwill, looking to be trained in a job that will see you and your family through.
Organizations like those we’ve named here make a concerted effort to see that what’s donated to them stays in our community. We who are in a position to help them should do so.
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