Unemployed citizens need help now

The system in place wasn’t ready for the downpour of unemployment claims, or the flood of economic distress that came along with it.

While many have debated whether or not the state and federal governments were prepared for rapid economic response to the pandemic, one fact is clear at this point in time: when it comes to layoffs, look to your neighbors first before expecting help from big government.

Unemployment claims are continuing to surge in Bartholomew County due to COVID-19.

A total of 3,840 unemployment claims have been filed in the county over the past three weeks on record, which is more than all claims filed every week since January 2017 combined. Broken down: 1,596 claims have been filed in the manufacturing sector, 221 in retail and 600 in the accommodation and restaurant industries.

In Indiana, 282,567 unemployment claims have been filed over the past three weeks, including 108,628 filed last week.

Many of the people who have lost their jobs live paycheck to paycheck, and need help now. Some have been waiting for assistance since the middle of March.

The U.S. Census estimated in July of 2019 that Bartholomew County had a population of around 84,000 people, with 10% of those people living in poverty. Forty-five percent of students in Bartholomew County School Corp. schools were taking free or reduced lunches before school was cancelled.

That poverty number will likely continue to grow the longer adults are out of work.

A major issue — which is a basic human necessity — is growing as fewer paychecks come in: hunger.

Many good deeds have taken place in the community to help the needy, but even those that work in charity full-time are feeling the strain.

This past Wednesday, Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana organized a free, drive-through food pantry from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cummins Inc. Fuel Systems plant. Cars wrapped down and around the streets at Cummins, as around 600 meals were given to families needing assistance.

At Love Chapel, which normally gets sufficient supplies donated from area stores, they have begun spending what it expects will be about $10,000 monthly to get nearly 800 gallons of milk, plus the other staples that it needs for clients from Sysco food service, a company normally serving restaurants, nursing homes and other such clients.

On April 3, the Bull Dog food pantry at Columbus North High School ran out of food after serving 200 Bartholomew County residents. The week before that, East’s pantry served a record 192 families.

The Columbus Salvation Army’s food pantry demand is also up 30% over this time last year.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development had made 175,195 payments for unemployment claims for the month as of Thursday.

Economic aid needs to pick up the pace inside and out of the county, or the problems will continue to pile on.

Until help comes, give to a local pantry.