We are facing a serious problem in the Fargo-Moorhead area. In the past several weeks, we have had articles in the Forum touting economic growth in North Dakota and Minnesota. This affects only about 50 percent of households - most of those upper incomes. In this light, I have a few questions.
If the economy is growing, why do we have an increase in homelessness in the F-M area, 50 percent higher than in 2003 (Wilder Research Report of Sept. 2)? Why are the four homeless shelters almost totally full each night? Why are 29 percent of children in the Fargo schools coming from families living at or below the poverty level (2005 from Fargo District Office)? Why is the number of households in the F-M area living on the brink of homelessness increasing at an alarming rate?
These are questions that need to be answered if we are to move forward economically.
It is this last group of households that we of Central Cities Ministries (an organization of churches of various denominations and Social Service agencies) seek to help in an "emergency" when all other resources have been exhausted. CCM seeks to help as many as possible in these "emergency" needs.
However, donations have been very low this past summer, so we had to turn away hundreds of households in need. We want to thank all who continue to support this important cause.
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Donald J. Thorp, Fargo, Letter: In growing economy, many are left behind 20071019
