One Man Makes A Stand!
Five years ago the Torrington Soup Kitchen provided meals for about twenty people a day. Mostly troubled souls with addiction, psychological or long term unemployment issues as you would expect to see there. In the past, the kitchen has managed the needs of our community very efficiently with the help of just a few in our community. But, today is different!
Today, they face much greater challenges. We can debate the cause as a failing economy, declining work ethics or is just a corporate takeover of our human resources. It really does not matter for the outcome is still the same... today about 200 people come to the soup kitchen daily in need of a meal. A shocking growth in numbers compared to just a few years ago.
But, perhaps what is most disturbing is the change in the demographics of those in need. The folks you see coming into the kitchen today are no longer the stereotypes you might expect. They are greatly composed of those that have been victimized by a minimum wage that has not kept up with the cost of living and the cold, heartless corporate dissecting of hours and benefits from employees to increase profits.
Today, if you were to enter the kitchen you might just see some familiar faces. The lady that bags your purchases and thanks you for shopping at Walmart, the twenty-something year old (at the drive-up window) that hands you your bag of burgers at McDonnell's or any of the many other victims that either work a 40+ hour week for a wage they can't exist on or have been put on a part-time program to circumvent the requirement to provide basic benefits.
Imagine working 40+ hours a week and having to choose between paying your rent, putting gas in your car (so you can get to your job), getting medical attention or eating that day. You have got to ask yourself, "What perversion has created this distorted version of the American dream".
We can argue that the minimum wage needs to be higher and that congress needs to stop bending over for corporate dollars and concern themselves with the needs of the people that voted them into office. But, that wont help the 200 folks that will need the services of the soup kitchen today.
Perhaps, we need to make changes in the laws that govern corporate America, raise the minimum wage and/or subsidize those employees that allow us to enjoy an abundance of cheap products at the cost of their own prosperity and human dignity. The middle class consuming beast of corporate America might have to be shaken to the very core before freedom, peace, justice and the American way can prevail. But, whatever course of correction we take -- these solutions will take a lot of time to put in place.
But, that does not mean you can't make a difference... RIGHT NOW!
At least one man has decided to take that kind of action. That man is Skip Hoxie and he is working toward a solution in the face of a seemly insurmountable problem. Answering the call of those in need by soliciting the help of his community. His goal is to restock the shelves at the soup kitchen so they can continue to offer refuge and substance to those in need. He will be at TSK on Saturday, April 12th from 9am to 1pm -- waiting for you with open arms.
Arms that need to be filled with your donations. So, please don't let him down. He is counting on the generosity and compassion of his neighbors to take action with him.
Come to Torrington Soup Kitchen at 220 Prospect Street in Torrington on Saturday and let Skip know you stand with him in his conviction to help those that have fallen victim to hard times. Bring what you can in non-perishable food and come to the side entrance on Maiden Lane where Skip will greet you with all the compassion and gratitude of a man that bravely stands vigilant in the face of adversity!
Today, they face much greater challenges. We can debate the cause as a failing economy, declining work ethics or is just a corporate takeover of our human resources. It really does not matter for the outcome is still the same... today about 200 people come to the soup kitchen daily in need of a meal. A shocking growth in numbers compared to just a few years ago.
But, perhaps what is most disturbing is the change in the demographics of those in need. The folks you see coming into the kitchen today are no longer the stereotypes you might expect. They are greatly composed of those that have been victimized by a minimum wage that has not kept up with the cost of living and the cold, heartless corporate dissecting of hours and benefits from employees to increase profits.
Today, if you were to enter the kitchen you might just see some familiar faces. The lady that bags your purchases and thanks you for shopping at Walmart, the twenty-something year old (at the drive-up window) that hands you your bag of burgers at McDonnell's or any of the many other victims that either work a 40+ hour week for a wage they can't exist on or have been put on a part-time program to circumvent the requirement to provide basic benefits.
Imagine working 40+ hours a week and having to choose between paying your rent, putting gas in your car (so you can get to your job), getting medical attention or eating that day. You have got to ask yourself, "What perversion has created this distorted version of the American dream".
We can argue that the minimum wage needs to be higher and that congress needs to stop bending over for corporate dollars and concern themselves with the needs of the people that voted them into office. But, that wont help the 200 folks that will need the services of the soup kitchen today.
Perhaps, we need to make changes in the laws that govern corporate America, raise the minimum wage and/or subsidize those employees that allow us to enjoy an abundance of cheap products at the cost of their own prosperity and human dignity. The middle class consuming beast of corporate America might have to be shaken to the very core before freedom, peace, justice and the American way can prevail. But, whatever course of correction we take -- these solutions will take a lot of time to put in place.
But, that does not mean you can't make a difference... RIGHT NOW!
At least one man has decided to take that kind of action. That man is Skip Hoxie and he is working toward a solution in the face of a seemly insurmountable problem. Answering the call of those in need by soliciting the help of his community. His goal is to restock the shelves at the soup kitchen so they can continue to offer refuge and substance to those in need. He will be at TSK on Saturday, April 12th from 9am to 1pm -- waiting for you with open arms.
Arms that need to be filled with your donations. So, please don't let him down. He is counting on the generosity and compassion of his neighbors to take action with him.
Come to Torrington Soup Kitchen at 220 Prospect Street in Torrington on Saturday and let Skip know you stand with him in his conviction to help those that have fallen victim to hard times. Bring what you can in non-perishable food and come to the side entrance on Maiden Lane where Skip will greet you with all the compassion and gratitude of a man that bravely stands vigilant in the face of adversity!
