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If you have food and electricity, give thanks — and then lend a hand

Editor's note: The Time is Now to Help was founded by a local businessman who knew extreme poverty as a child. With the help of donations from the community, The Time is Now is able to help local residents in need.

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Many letters I receive from people facing eviction are already too late. People are living in cars, friends’ basements and homeless shelters if they are even that lucky.

Dear W.C., My family is on the verge of eviction. My husband lost his job and we are unable to pay our rent. I don’t know where else to turn for help. Everywhere we go for help has a long line of people going through the same thing we are. I had a baby six weeks ago and had a difficult pregnancy. I had to quit my job and stay on bed rest for the last few months of my pregnancy. I live in fear of being homeless with my newborn baby girl. Fearing homelessness

Dear readers,

This is one of many letters I receive each week dealing with impending homelessness. Many letters I receive are already too late and people are living in cars, friends’ basements and homeless shelters, if they are even that lucky.

I count my blessings, having safe shelter for myself and my family. I thank God every day for that blessing and never take it for granted. As you sit down to eat dinner with your family and friends, please say a prayer for all our poverty-stricken neighbors who are not able to enjoy that blessing. Together, may we feed and shelter as many as possible.

Dear W.C.,

I am a disabled man struggling to live on my own. I have multiple handicaps but still like to do what I can to maintain my independence. Recently, my disability checks have been cut back. I was barely getting by before this cutback.

Now, I have been unable to pay my utilities for several months. My electricity has been off. I do not live extravagantly by any means. I just didn’t think having electricity was a luxury, but I guess I was wrong. Now, I live in the dark in the evenings. Television used to be my only companion, but now I do not even have that. I can only cook for myself in a microwave, and now that is not possible. I feel so hopeless and frustrated with the government deciding I can live on less. Barely getting by

Dear readers,

Utilities are a common first thing to give up when you live on disability. Many people are living with disabilities that require medications, equipment and doctor visits. When you have to pay for these, along with rent, utilities, food and household necessities, there are not enough funds to cover all these expenses.

I am thankful for my lights, a working oven to cook in, the hum of appliances, heat, a refrigerator, and I am sure you all are thankful for these things as well. I say a prayer for the many people turning to us for help in keeping their homes warm and their appliances on. I pray we can help as many as possible to remove the hopelessness they feel.

Dear W.C.,

I just had to use the money I budgeted for food to repair my car. If I don’t have a car, I cannot get to work. I work hard to support my family. I hate putting money into my old car because it is falling apart. I really need a reliable vehicle to get me to my job.

I heard from my church that you sometimes can help with a used car. If you find you are able to help me with a reliable car, I would be forever grateful. No car, no work

Dear readers,

Our car ministry is another area that has been stretched to the limit this past year. So many people are in need of car repairs they cannot afford or they have no car at all. People have lost their jobs due to lack of reliable transportation. Then, without income, they are evicted.

A car is so important in order to survive. We do not have public transportation in this area, so a car is a must if you need to work.

We have been blessed with several good used cars this year given by our wonderful donors. They have made a vast improvement in the lives of the recipients. We have a long waiting list for donated cars and we continue to do repairs on cars for people in need.

I am thankful to get in a car every day that is safe and trouble-free. I do not worry about running out of gas or breaking down on the road. How many of you get in a safe car every day and drive to work, school, doctor’s appointments or to go shopping and never give it a thought? Next time I put my key in the ignition, I will take a moment to say a prayer of thanks for safe, reliable transportation and together, may we answer the prayers of so many in desperate need of a car.

I thank all of you for your kindness in caring and sharing what you have been blessed with to help our fellow creations.

Health and happiness, God bless everyone, W.C.

Please help: Make checks payable to The Time Is Now to Help, P.O. Box 70, Pell Lake, WI 53157. The Time Is Now to Help is a federally recognized 501(c)3 charitable organization licensed in Wisconsin and Illinois. You will receive a tax-deductible, itemized thank-you receipt showing exactly what every penny of your donation provided for the poverty stricken.

A very special thank you to: Paul Ziegler, Michael and Sue Borden, Mark and Natalie Reno, Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Dick and Jean Honeyager, John and Carol Frandolig, Pamela DeRoy, Martin O’Brien, Gerald and Marilyn Wilkin, Jerome and Susan Kuta, Robert and Shirley Lipinski, Michael and Kathe Beach, William and Kimberly Basford, Lillian Rudolf, Dr. Joseph and Karen Cerniglia, David and Penny Froh, Dennis and Christine Haak, Michael and Sally Anne Chier, Faith Lutheran Church/Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, W.C. Family Resource Center/Food Pantry volunteers, and all the God-loving volunteers of all our caring food pantries, all of you who support The Time Is Now to Help donation boxes, and the businesses that allow our donation boxes. Anyone who would like a Time Is Now donation box in your business, please call (262) 249-7000.