@fburgnews just testing to see if this works

wow – while working at hyperion you can hear a lot of interesting and high-powered conversations…

From experience, it can be very easy to not even recognize that some of our fellow neighbors live in poverty. Pointing fingers as to why they barely, if at all, get by is useless, as blame does not fill stomaches or clothe children.

Amy Flowers Umble writes in today’s paper that 300 families used the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank last month. Even more astonishing is that over 400 children – read that again – 400 children are considered homeless in our region.

For those that do recognize the need and wish to help out by donating to the local Goodwill or Salvation Army stores, doing so after-hours will subject the items to theft. Thefts at the Salvation Army store steals profits that are used to help those in need.

For example, the oak furniture stolen at 7:30 p.m. probably would have sold for about $100, Schweining said. The Salvation Army could have used that money to feed a family of four, she said.

The thrift store helps the community in various ways, said Capt. Michael Harris of the Salvation Army’s Fredericksburg Corps.

Donated items are either given to needy people or sold at the thrift store. If sold, 100 percent of the proceeds support the agency’s efforts at feeding, clothing and sheltering those in need, Schweining said.

So, watch out when donating – make sure it’s done when the store is open.

At the beach until Wednesday – don’t expect much until then.

What a beautiful day! And I’m shackled to my desk. Guess that’s what the parents meant with “Life isn’t fair”.