Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-01-30
HELP THE POOR
The Rev. Mr.. Frye to
the Rescue.
1HE HERALD WILL HELP
In Alleviating the Distress Of
the Needy.
HOW MISERY AB0UN DS
I'm the Wretched Homes Of the
Poverty Stricken.
RELIEF MUST BE EXTENDED
Mr.. Frye Tells of His Experience in Call
ing at the Homes of Extreme Cases
He Appeals for Them and Asks
The Herald to Star, Sup
oily Depo;-I, Win
be Started.
Row MISERY ABOUN DIS
I'm the Wretched Homes Of the
Poverty Stricken.
RELIEF MUST BE EXTENDED

1t hardly seems possible that in this
city of churches and charities, brilliant
parties and gilded club rooms and
where the hum of industry is the lul-
la-by Of thousands, that the wall of
desperate. plnching poverty, could be
heard. Nevertheless ii is true that
mingled with the anthems of accom-
pllshed choirs. the chink of the bank
er's ducats, the rustic of silk and the
jostle of business there is the bitter,
piercing cry, of ''give me bread"
This cry does not come from the
vicious and depraved, but from the
sick and unfortunate poverty stricken
masses IN our midst. They are
neither paupers nor vagrants, but hon.
orable ana respectable citizens who
have been overtaken with misfortune,
which, in most cases, they could not
prevent.
True there are thousands OF dollars
expended IN public and private chari-
ties for the relief of the poor and SICK
OF Grand Rapids every yesr, yet the
demands seem TO exceed the supply
and every winter there is much suffer
ing and crime in our midst for lack of
food, fuel and friends. This winter 10
no exception to the general rule. and
information and investigation disclose
the fact that something ought TO be
done more than there IS ~ present to
give immediate relief to those who
need it. Many have, perhaps, adequate
support from the city. out many have
not, and TO supply this lack ls the
pressing duty OF the hour and which
has inspired this statement and app cal
for aims.
A Picture of Distress
/ have investigated and assisted sCn,e
cases which revealed a condition of
things unthought OF, TO me. before.
Last Saturday nigh. was called TO n
family Of seven, some OF them small
children; the father SICK aud nothing
in the house 10 eat but a few potatoes
and not even salt for ;hem-no bread
no meat-noth,ng whatever and seven
mouths TO feed and Saturday night.
! got them rome relief that night for
the Sunday, and other friends were
kind IN sending some things sfterward.
! need not say that il was like sunrise
at midnight to that family. | visited
another place-a basement kennel,
where destItution had done terrible
work. The last stick in the stove, fouf
little motherlcss children and sick
| father huddied around lt-iioor damp
and cold, scanty food-some clothing
promised 10y the kindness OF n good
society of ladies, but ii had not arrived.
| visited some others with Ike results.
But IT is useless 10 multiply these in
stances for | certainly can do IL II IL
were necessary, and others can do the
same thing II they look into this mat
| ter. The question -. how snail these
destitute families get reiief IN the short
est possible time? | have tried 10 give
temporary relief in most instances, but
have done II mostly on my own
means and credit. Thanks 10 THr
| HERALD for contribution OF wood 10
needy family and To /. {. Levi, n
| cheek, and all who have assisted me
| IN THIS work. Now why this state OF
thing? It's true that our city 10 noted
| for It's charsties and benevolent insii-
tutions. There are many generous aad
/ benevolent people here, and am conf
dent Ia saying that no family need to
suffer for the necessaries OF life II only
tho currents of this benevOit nee could
| he turned toward them.
Confusion In Distributios.
Now hoe is the difficulty how 10 sp-
proprlate these charities 10 the best ed-
vantage ard 10 The proper persons.
| There are hundreds Of people IN this
/ city vino would willingly give some
thing TO help the poor 4 they only
snew it would be property used. There
can le no hlame attached 10 any one
so Tar as can sec. bat e iss PITY that
! there l. 40 system of collecting aud dis.
| pensinr the charities OF a generous
| people N this city. Int il u not my
/ purpose here - suggest or critieiss
/ methoas u dispensing charity. I wish
! % deal with the actual condition Of
things az fnd them. Many vii say
LET the churches make provisions IN
! cases where tae city allowance "a mol
su u'slcisnt Most OF the churches thnt
are ahle, are wiling % do al they can.
hut The churches and benevolent 90
| cieties endeayor 10 pfos5de for thsf'
! members, bat there are hnndreas ~be
! are not kno-n 10 these efxznszstson'
! wlo are The most degeuaeDt. spd
whether Cbustian or inhdei, Airican
( of Monaghan. 4 hangry sid noes y
! they must ~ nsiD steed unto.
A. ihis tire many heads Of families
/ are SEX or without sork tse irfruEse =
/ shut ed, bat tas rent snd exPsnsek ol
| hvlng 50 0n. Ihe iandiar3 soon eel'
/ uneasy sas makes tbe situatoa - thf
/ family terribly wresched hY bls persss
/ tent demand feF his rent. and nsans
cases bY ahasve thresfs aHd oprtVs
tions many Hesie exceptions - taa
/ Fuis bo@eysT auti tie lsss iest $
hzsea ABd the hDsi 49, hsTBfHe
and tbsu q TIE lsesees 04 aesperstssss
-a<g. steSl OF stafss. A. las q SIS 81