Farewell to the freebies

Posted: Saturday, November 26 at 01:24 pm CT by

The free food and goods being poured into this region so that its residents will have a lifeline that covers their basic day-to-day needs are going away. Some outlets could be gone in a month; three months at the outside.

"It's a process," says Bryan Adam, director of emergency management services for the area. Hancock County, which includes Waveland and Bay St. Louis, has drawn up a 30-60-90 recovery plan that outlines what free goods and services will be shut down.

"We need to get our economy back," Adams said, and businesses might be reluctant to start up again when all their customers are getting hand-outs. However, Adams also stressed that "nothing is written in stone" as far as the recovery plan goes. "If the need is still there, then of course we won't be shutting anything down," he said. How will he know? "We'll just know," he said.

Adams also squashed a popular rumor here: that FEMA is making some feeding groups leave or has told them to stay away. "FEMA don't shut down nobody," Adams said.

Most of the feeding and free goods distribution stations have been contacted about the recovery plan and know they'll possibly have to leave within 90 days, Adams said; the plan was announced during a public town hall meeting.

Shutting down these free services is a dicey issue. On the one hand, people need to eat and need the basics of everyday life, like water, ice and soap. But it's also true that these two cities are showing at least a glimmer of recovery and there needs to be plans in place to help that happen. "It's a delicate balance," Adams said.

One issue of concern is that the feeding and distribution centers are increasingly being used by workers in the area that have come down to help rebuild. That's angered some, Adams said. "I say, if they want to eat, let them eat," he said.

The best-known feeding center is the New Waveland Cafe that is serving its last meal today before leaving. Rumors have circulated all around the place that FEMA or others had pushed them out. Not the case, Adams said. "They only planned to be here for three weeks originally" and ended up staying three months, he noted. "People will miss them, I'm sure of that."

Adams and his staff grasp at any statistic that can be used to show that the people and the area are starting to rise up from this ruin. One such story involves the re-opening of the Wal-Mart in Waveland. When that happened, "visitors to the free market at the New Waveland cafe, where people could literally fill shopping carts with non-perishable grocery items, went dramatically down," said David Greiser, a spokesman for the emergency management center.

"The people want to be self-sufficient," Adams said. "And we're doing everything we can to make sure that happens."

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8 COMMENTS

yes, I agree the freebies have to end sometime. Without sounding cruel, these people must once again learn to stand on their feet and provide for themselves. I have seen too many people fall into the "welfare runt" and take on an attitude that they are ENTITLED to lay back while the rest of the working world provides for them. Give them assistance, give them a helping hand, but make them take some kind of initiative.

KLPalmer (Sent Nov 26, 2005 7:12:54 PM)

We all want to see that area return to some sort of normalcy. Let's not forget that this happened to hard-working people. They are ready for their lives to get back to normal. They are ready for the handouts to stop. It gives them hope.

Theresa Mack, Germantown, MD (Sent Nov 27, 2005 9:13:58 PM)

In a perfect world, people should be able to stand on their own after 30,60, or 90 days, but with no home, no money, and no resources, it is very hard to stand on your own. There are still people living in tents, it is very difficult to keep food, or cook food when living in a tent. If you had no utilities, or sanitary conditions to accomidate cooking, how would you manage?

Donna Rawson Park Hills, Mo. (Sent Nov 27, 2005 11:26:08 PM)

People should get help to get them back on their feet
however, they must help themselves by doing whatever
it takes to resume their lifestyle: work, work and
work no matter what kind of job it is for the moment,
keep pressing on until you're back on your feet! This
way they can be of help to someone else and not a burden to their fellowman.

Sarah Gilmore, Kathleen, Georgia. (Sent Nov 27, 2005 11:54:42 PM)

I know that the freebies need to stop but when you don't have a home, job or any money coming in it is hard.We were lucky but when you go to Waveland and the Pass it is heart wrinching. Those people REALLY need some help.They have always held their own and are not asking for handouts. There is a different in handouts and in need. We help all the other countries but now WE need help. Until you walk a mile in their shoes, if they are lucky enough to have saved a pair, don't judge or make decisions for them.

Jane Sarver (Sent Nov 28, 2005 6:51:46 AM)

As long as there are freebies, there will be people to take advantage of it. The rest of us have had times of trouble and trauma, yet we ALONE!!! pulled ourselves out of it and survived. Why can't they? I do have sympathy for their plight, as I would any person who lost everything, but they are not the only people who have suffered in this world. Others have made it without help from anybody, so let them do the same. We are giving away too much, supporting them too much, using our resources to help those who sit on their rearends and do nothing to support themselves. I am sick and tired of "you owe me" attitude. So many of these people are ending up with more than they ever had before this happened. They are looking upon this as hitting the lottery and they are taking advantage of everyone! I personally will not help those who will not attempt to help themselves.

Sara Joyce, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Nov 28, 2005 7:49:37 AM)

KLPalmer, I could not have said it better myself.

KrisK (Sent Nov 28, 2005 9:47:48 AM)

A HAND UP NOT A HAND-OUT IS THE CORRECT COURSE OF ACTION AND I BELIEVE THAT IS THE DESIRE OF MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE DEVISTATED GULF COAST REGION -- THEY ARE A PROUD SELF RELIENT PEOPLE THEY ARE CARING GIVING COMMUNITIES THAT WERE SIMPLY OVERRAN WITH DISTRUCTION AND SUFFERING AS LONG AS HELP IS NEEDE GIVE IT -- THEY WILL STAND ON THIER ONW FEET AS SOON AS YHEY CAN - I KNOW AS I WAS RAISED IN HOUSTON AND ANCESTERS HAIL FROM NEW IBERIA, LA.

MARGARET INGRAM (Sent Nov 28, 2005 10:00:04 AM)

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