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September 25, 2013 • Community News - St. Charles County • www.mycnews.com
Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers
FISH Provides Emergency Assistance
In times of need, many lend their neighbors a helping hand. In a large-scale disaster or community-wide emergency, a trained team working in coordination with strategically mobilized resources can provide assistance that may be the difference between life and death for many in our area. The St. Charles County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a volunteer-based unit formed to assist this response and meet the demands of a health-related crisis. The St. Charles County MRC will provide support to governmental and public service agencies when resources are limited, large numbers of people are affected or widespread emergencies occur. Medically trained and non-medical professionals alike can put their knowledge and skills to use in helping the community. Previous experience is not required, as MRC leaders will train dedicated volunteers in roles such as: dispensing medication; logistics; financial accountability; public communication; transportation; pet sheltering and much more. The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment sponsors the local MRC chapter and offers an open house at 6pm on Wednesday, October 2 to introduce current and prospective members to the benefits of the program. Presented at the health department (1650 Boone’s Lick Road in St. Charles), the orientation will provide an overview of the program, discuss various roles within the County’s emergency response plan and outline the MRC training/certification program. If you are 18 or older, and would be interested in assisting the St. Charles County MRC or would like to learn more about the program, please call St. Charles County Regional Response Planner Andrew Willman at 636.949.7554 before Wednesday, September 25.
FISH of St. Charles County was founded in 1969, in order to serve the needy of St. Charles County. The organization provides emergency assistance in the form of food, clothing, house wares, and linens. Referrals from the Division of Family Services, social service agencies, and local churches account for over 90% of their clients. Twelve local churches provide needed food items to the organization on a monthly basis. They also operate a thrift store which is open to the general public. Without any paid employees, FISH is completely managed and operated by more than 80 volunteers. The average age of a volunteer is 75, and many have served the organization for over 15 years. FISH distributes over 60,000 clothing units and 3,000 pairs of shoes to over 5,500 adults and children each year. Food is also provided for over 3,000 adults and children annually. FISH is located at 1150 Cave Springs Estates Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376. Their hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am -noon.
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Letter to the Editor Children worry about a whole host of things, like homework, relationships with friends, and whether or not they’re wearing the newest fashions and trends. These are things we all worry about in our younger years. But children today are coping with an issue not even adults should be accustomed to. According to the St. Louis Area Foodbank, the St. Louis region is home to 172,660 children who are struggling with hunger. Statewide, nearly a quarter of Missouri’s children are hungry or at risk of hunger. These figures place Missouri fifth in the country and among the states with the highest increase of hungry children. A few summers ago, a child attending The Salvation Army’s Camp Mihaska in Bourbon, MO, was surprised to learn he would be given three meals a day because at home his family could
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only afford to provide him with one meal. It’s a sobering realization that so many local children are struggling with such a basic human need. St. Louisans are flocking to local food pantries and social-service agencies in record numbers. Within the past two years, The Salvation Army’s O’Fallon Worship and Community Center went from serving 45 people each month to almost 500 at its food pantry. These numbers show no sign of decreasing, especially after House lawmakers recently approved the federal Farm Bill after stripping the food-stamp program used by 48 million Americans and threatening to make more devastating cuts to the program. In Missouri, 416,000 children rely on food stamps to survive. Anti-hunger organization Bread for the World has estimated that if the proposed cuts are enacted to the food-stamp program, every religious congregation in the United States would need to spend $50,000 a year for the next 10 years to feed the people who would be affected. Hunger has become a serious problem in the St. Louis area, and social-service organizations have worked diligently to combat it as best we can. But, the truth is, we are struggling to keep up with the influx of need. The Salvation Army will continue to feed children, adults, and senior citizens every day as long as we are able. We pray that your continued support will allow our local children to just be kids; instead of worrying when they’ll be able to eat again. Respectfully, Major Lonneal Richardson Divisional Commander The Salvation Army - Midland Division
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