Real People Economic Indicators All Looking Up, Unfortunately
By Lee Russ
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Monday's historic point rise in the ow Jones Industrials came at the beginning of a week in which many economic reports are due, including earnings from some major corporations. But, hey, why wait for reports that so indirectly indicate the health of our economy when recent news has been full of the real economic indicators for a while.
So:1. Human Homelessness: UP
Advocates expect numbers to grow amid economic downturn and ask for state aidVt. Homeless Shelters Having To Turn Away PeopleBoston Globe, October 6, 2008
Despite a pledge by Governor Deval Patrick to end homelessness, the number of homeless people in the state is at a record high and likely to rise because of the mortgage crisis and continuing surge in foreclosures...With homeless shelters filled to capacity, more than 500 families across the Commonwealth are being put up in hotels and motels - a drastic increase from last year at this time...
Shelters Seek State Funding To Open Temporary Winter Facilities, October 13, 2008Bad Economy Filling Homeless SheltersBURLINGTON, Vt. -- Some of Vermont's homeless shelters are filling up and having to turn people away. Rita Markley, executive director of the Committee on Temporary Shelter, said from June to August COTS turned away 42 families and 75 single adults.
KTSM News 1, Monday, October 6, 20082. Animal Homelssness: UPMany are seeing a surge in the number of families who simply can't afford their homes and need a place to stay....Susan Austin of the El Paso Coalition for the Homeless says many organizations are finding it harder to find the money and and room to help the growing number of people in need.
Economy Hit Dogs and Cats: Foreclosure Leaves Abandoned Pets Homeless
National Ledger, AZ - Oct 4, 2008 Some home owners dump their pets at animal shelters where, due to overpopulation at shelters, almost half of incoming animals are euthanized. ...Animal Shelters Team Up
abc40, MA - Oct 12, 2008 (abc40) - The tough economy is taking a toll on families in all sorts of ways. More and more pets are ending up in local animal shelters because their ...Pets Lose Homes As Owners Face Hard Times
WAAY, AL - 23 hours ago Morgan and Lawrence counties' animal shelters also cite a decline in adoptions. The sad truth is that when fewer animals are adopted out, ...Animal Shelters Turning Away Animals
KSPR, MO - Oct 8, 2008 But as the economic crisis bites down on Southwest Missouri animal shelters, those like Glenda Moore are stepping up to the cry for help. ...Hard times hit animal shelters
SunJournal.com, ME - Oct 6, 2008 By Ann Bryant , Staff Writer FARMINGTON - Some animal shelters are seeing more owners surrendering their pets, since the economy started to slide last ...Anxiety over economy leading to more stress than ever
The News Journal, DE - Oct 12, 2008 ....animal shelters statewide have been overwhelmed by abandoned and relinquished pets. ...Hard times squeezing local animal shelters
The Tribune-Democrat, PA - Sep 29, 2008 And when they do, local animal shelters feel the pinch. Humane societies in Somerset and Cambria counties say the tanking economy has saddled them with more ...3. Hunger: UP
Demand for food is up at local food banks
WTOP, DC - 12 hours ago In 2007, the Maryland Food Bank distributed roughly 588000 pounds of food to food banks throughout the state. In 2008, the number climbed to 854000 pounds. ...Pullman food banks see heavy traffic
The Daily Evergreen, WA - 18 hours ago There are nine food banks in Whitman County, he said. There are also Meals on Wheels for seniors and people with disabilities, and group meals on Mondays ...Slow Economy Tough On Food Drives, Food Banks
KHBS/KHOG 40/29, AR - Oct 13, 2008 Meanwhile, local food banks are sending out a call for help. Over the past few months, the economic situation has left thousands of local families in need ...Food banks struggling to meet rising demand
WSBT-TV, IN - Oct 13, 2008 by Megan Baldino (mbaldino@wsbt.com) By WSBT News1 Elkhart — Food banks from Elkhart to South Bend are struggling to meet a rising demand for their services ...NJ speeds up aid to struggling food banks
Newsday, NY - Oct 9, 2008 Jon S. Corzine says the state will fast-track the distribution of nearly $1 million to six food banks. Corzine spoke Thursday at the Center of United ...Homeless Shelters, Food Banks Feeling Economic Crunch Ahead of Winter
WFMZ-TV Online, PA - Oct 12, 2008 A lagging economy can also hurt the organizations that help people in need. WFMZ's Jackie Shutack checked in with the Salvation Army and Second Harvest Food ...Economy Hurting Local Food Banks
13WHAM-TV, NY - Oct 12, 2008 (Rochester, NY)- Here in Rochester many are feeling the pinch of our tight economy and local food banks are no different. Foodlink serves more than 500 ...4. Domestic Abuse: UP
Economy blamed for increased domestic violence calls
9NEWS.com, CO - 23 hours ago The Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center has been serving domestic abuse victims and their families since 1985. Programs, including low-cost counseling, ...Tough times can lead to domestic violence
Ridgefield Press, USA - Oct 12, 2008 Ms. Danyliw stressed that often domestic abuse consists of emotional abuse rather than the escalation of physical abuse. It’s not easy to arrest someone for ...Economic decline increases risk of domestic violence
WZZM, MI - Oct 8, 2008 In many cases it is also leading to domestic abuse. "With the economic downturn the fact is many people are losing jobs, experiencing an increase of tuition ...Economic times mean harder times at home
WQAD, IL - Oct 9, 2008 Many of us have heard that when times are tough, domestic abuse climbs. But Laurel Bell with the Family Resource Center in Davenport says that's a ...Economy Tied To Increase In Domestic Violence
KTNV Las Vegas, NV - Oct 8, 2008 The Rape Crisis Center says about 8-10 more victims of domestic abuse are coming through their doors each month. They say it has everything to do with the ...Abuse Hotlines Light Up as Economy Falters
News10.net, CA - Sep 26, 2008 She now helps counsel domestic abuse victims. She said money issues often sparked violence in her home. "Quite often, it would be the excuse, you spent too much...For some reason, I don't recall a whole lot of media discussion of these indicators. Maybe we need an official Misery Administration, possibly at the cabinet level, so we can get some nice official statistical releases, turn them into an historical series, and make it available for academic and social research. Who am I kidding? In no time at all, some White House resident president would get the brain trust together and work out a way to cook the books on the Misery Index.