0 Degrees

America is a shining example, remember?

In this country, right now, thousands more are Homeless than ever before. More than during any diaspora (Jewish, Armenian, etc), more than after any American war, more than during the plague.

It is clear that times are bad for everyone. Yet we hear that Wall Street has shelled out a mind-boggling 40% increase in bonuses on top of already embarrassing wages. We hear that the wars we are fighting have and still are making new millionaires every week. We hear that our government is very concerned about budget deficits, yet pork barrel projects are up $2.5 Billion over last year – which were up $9 Billion over the previous year.

At Push Open Doors in 2009, we received fewer contributions than we had for the past 5 years.

Push Open Doors a chartered national 501(c) 3 non profit for the benefit of the Homeless received no donations from anybody. At all.

Let me repeat and rephrase that. In 2009, Push Open Doors received NOT A SINGLE financial contribution other than from our volunteer staff, who not only donate their time, but also kick-in when supplies are needed (like ink or server costs – thank you again, friends).

ZERO

We solicited support from all the usual, generous givers, but wallets just did not open. There were no monies for us to help someone while it is freezing outside, or to stave dire food or heating needs.

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During December, we try to make sure Homeless children have a gift, and this Holiday we couldn’t do that at all.

There was no Santa for the kids, and we felt so badly about it that one of the staff suggested taking out a loan. Well, we didn’t doing that, but we do feeling Grinchy.

We are not out to guilt you, after all, you’re reading this, so you probably care – but we do feel sad.

It is awful being homeless in the winter, and in a recession it is an absolute killer.

We wish we could help.   Can you?