Letters to the Editor

The rising rates of hunger and homelessness in Connecticut are cause for alarm. In 2008 alone, there was a 30 percent increase in soup kitchen attendance and a 13 percent increase in homelessness in Connecticut.

Recent news such as the Norwich Bulletin story from Jan. 29 highlights this issue. An estimated 4,366 people were homeless in Connecticut in 2008. This number came from a volunteer search, called a Point in Time Count, to count the homeless people in all of Connecticut.

Another example of the bias of aid to homeless people is exhibited in the News Channel 8 story from Feb. 13: Diamond McCarter is a pregnant high school graduate whose child's father is in jail. She would have a better chance of getting help as a drug addict than she does in her current situation.

To help ameliorate this dire situation, UConnPIRG has taken up activities to raise money for charitable donations such as Swipe-A-Meal, which last week raised $12,847.50 in three hours thanks to Dining Services and to the student body at the Storrs campus.

The next event is the Hunger Cleanup on April 4, where sponsored volunteers across the nation go out to designated sights in the community and clean up.

Activities range from serving soup at a local soup kitchen to tidying up the grounds of a playground. ConnPIRG welcomes all volunteers who wish to participate.

But these actions only treat the symptoms of hunger and homelessness rather than getting at the root problem.

We have a failing economy that is resulting in evictions and perpetuating homelessness. People need help.

As a federal example of how to help, Obama's stimulus package has monies allotted to help stop hunger and homelessness.

Here in Connecticut, we need governmental legislation and action that helps stop hunger and homelessness through programs such as supportive housing. People who are struggling and ask for help need to find it in the State of Connecticut. We all need to step up and speak out for those who cannot do so themselves.

- Kaitlyn Schlegel

Spokeswoman, UConnPIRG's Hunger and Homelessness campaign

I am writing to bring more attention to the rising problem of homelessness in the state of Connecticut, especially in the current economic climate.

Last year in 2008, volunteers went out a physically counted 4,366 people who were found to be homeless on the night of Jan. 29. Recently soup kitchens in Connecticut have seen a 30 percent rise in the need for assistance.

Shelters such as the Tri-town shelter in Rockville and No-freeze in Willimantic were already pushed beyond their limits of capacity, and now the problem is only growing daily. Almost every day, CNN and The New York Times, as well as many other prestigious news sources, run news stories with headlines such as "From Owners to Squatters" and "In Tough Economy, Working 7 Days Becomes Norm for Some," that highlight the rising homelessness crisis. It is vitally important that the voice of these people who are struggling to maintain their daily lives is not lost.

Lobbying, volunteering, and running fundraisers are a few ways that people everywhere are striving to keep up with the growing demand. UConnPIRG recently partnered with Dining Services to raise $12,847.50 for local shelters.

In addition UConnPIRG is running lobbying days to promote the funding of long term solutions to homelessness such as supportive housing.

Our governmental representatives need to keep the issue of homelessness in the forefront of their minds when passing bills and legislation. I feel that everyone can do their part in some small ways and can make a big difference, especially in the long run.

- Michelle White

Coordinator, UConnPIRG's Hunger and Homelessness campaign

Note: The Daily Campus received several additional, similar letters about this issue from the same student group. Because of space concerns, we have chosen to print just these two.