Page 50 - Discover Fall 2020
P. 50
Helping Hands CONTINUED
Like almost everyone else in indebtedness continues even though the
today’s world, Helping Hands is evictions have been stopped.”
feeling the financial pain caused by
Likewise, utility bills continue to
the Corona virus pandemic. Much of
mount.
its funding comes from other non-
profit organizations, such as the Smith Recently, a grandmother who has
Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour custody of her grandchildren reached
(when selected), which was canceled out to Helping Hands. A former
because of the threat of spreading the donor, she needed help herself this
virus. Resurrection Catholic Church’s time. Suffering from Covid-19, this
“Joyous Junque” annual yard sale, woman had been unable to work, had
another major contributor to Helping fallen behind in her utility bills, and
Hands (when selected), was scaled- was unable to pay for much needed
down in size this year because of the medication.
virus. As a result, Kay is fearful that
“With the help of the Salvation
there will be a substantial reduction in
Army, we were able to pay her electric
the amount of this year’s donations to
bill and one other bill,” Kay said. “And
Helping Hands.
since medication isn’t covered by her
“While individual donations health insurance, we reached out to a
are the most money we receive, major church in the Roanoke Valley for help,
sources of our funding comes from and they volunteered to pay for her
churches,” she explains. Churches medicine.”
have experienced a significant drop in
Kay recalls how this woman, who
donations, because live services are not
was talking to them on the telephone,
being conducted, again due to the threat
was so grateful that she began to cry.
of spreading Covid-19.
“Between the coughing and
Kay says she has recently noticed
crying, she was barely able to talk,” Kay
a significant drop in the number of
said.
people seeking help with their utility
bills or rent. She attributes this to the Last Christmas, Helping Hands
fact that the Government of Virginia gave a fully decorated tree to a single
has placed a ban on foreclosures, mother with two children. This tree
evictions and power shut-offs during had been part of the Festival of Trees,
the pandemic. Her concern is that a contest sponsored by STEP in its
people will become so indebted that “Step Into Christmas” activities, which
they will be overwhelmed once these included a home show featuring the
bans are lifted. historic homes in Rocky Mount.
“The rent or mortgage As part of the competition,
48 Discover Smith Mountain Lake FALL 2020
