Over 46 million people in the United States are living below the poverty line. We have double digit unemployment and the fastest growing homeless population is families and children.
So if this holiday season,
If you have a job, Be Thankful
If you have shelter, Be Thankful
If you have food in your refrigerator, Be Thankful
If you don’t have to worry if you have money to get yourself to work, Be Thankful
If you know that your child has plenty of food, Be Thankful.
This holiday season, if you have a little you can give, weather it is a can of vegetables or just a $5 donation, please do so.
These are some local organizations that you may donate to and help reduce hunger this holiday and winter season.
Capital Area Food Bank
http://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/
Food and Friends, DC
http://www.foodandfriends.org/site/pp.asp?c=ckLSI8NNIdJ2G&b=7565475
Meals on Wheels, DC
http://www.mealcall.org/meals-on-wheels/dc/
Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Holiday.
Bates Area Civic Association 
On today, there is a public hearing in Ward 5 with PEPCO asking for a 42.1 million dollar rate increase. Their Director makes over 3 million a year and needs a raise and increased executive compensation. More residents will lose their housing due to the continued rate increases. The rate increase is also to improve reliability and pay for the smart meters being installed. Call the Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC.gov) for information(727-3071), or testify and ask for a rebate instead of a rate increase during the current recession. This affects middle income residents who cannot qualify for help through the DC energy office. Happy Thanksgiving…