No family should have to decide between putting food on their table or having heat in their home. Or between needed dental work instead of transportation to get to work. Or between medical bills instead of rent. However, over the last month Binc has received calls for help from the heads of families that are wrestling with these and other very painful decisions.
The news is filled with the impact of record rainfall and violent storms around the country. This week several booksellers from California reached out to Binc.
This year, thanks to your generosity, that safety net is even stronger. Now Binc’s program managers can offer the new Mental Health Wellness program, in addition to financial assistance.
Last week our program manager got a call from a bookseller that came home to the unwelcome news that their home’s heat and lights would be shut off due to money owed.
The last thing this family did before evacuating was to take a photo of their home; they didn’t know what they would find when it was safe to return. When they did return, their worst fears were realized, but, thanks to you, this family and others like them, had a place to call. They called Binc.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way.
Other people are ill, get better, go back to work, and things get back to normal. That’s the way it’s supposed to happen. Sometimes, though; recovery from COVID-19 takes a little longer. But, the bills don’t stop when a person is sick.
In the past six weeks a new worry has appeared as the chief need for people seeking help. Food. Yes; there are still fears that the rent payment would be late, but they are worried about getting groceries for the next five days.
Thank you for your support! It will ensure that needed medical attention is given as more and more patients receive surprising financial news, even after careful advance planning to cover out of pocket expenses.
Thank you for being a helper. Thank you for taking out the stress, uncertainty and fear when book and comic employees face unexpected crises. Your donations and advocacy change lives.
A report from the American Psychological Association showed that the pandemic has heightened the impact of chronic prolonged stress for people from all walks of life, and is especially linked to anxiety, depression, anger, sleep difficulties, eating disorders. You know that if you read about it in the news, then Binc is there for employees and owners of bookstores and comic shops who are experiencing it.
