The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-19
IESERVING PEOPLE.
 \ NEED OF FOOD, AIS SDR. LA BRYAN
|eIoved Pastor Tells of Seri- ous Condition Existing in All Parts of the City
 Among Unemployed

If anyone in Birmingham knows : e conditions among the poor peopie this city. that man Is Dr. J. A. van. For more than 30 years he s ministered to them. He has made I cir needs his life work and they 1nfide in him as they would con i Ide in no other.
 Few workers of welfare or reliet Examinations come in such intimate |ntact with people in trouble as lis beloved minister. His unselfish lie have long made him the confl- hut of the poor and unfortunate hd during this period of business kpression and unemployment, no one las been called on oftener for aid. T don't know where the money bmes from that l have to give peo- e in need, but somehow the Lord Iways provides it." said Dr. Bryan. IPeople meet me every day and give {e money for this work and just fhen I am out and feel that l will lave to turn down the next cali, bme good man or woman hands me or some other amount and l an |ble to continue the work. 1 had bme calls Friday night which l |-ould have been unable to answer lad not Major Tutwiler met me that |fternoon and handed me S5."
 Conditions Grave Now
 .T know that the people of Bir. |ingham have warm and generous |earts and that they will come to he. relief" said Dr. Bryan, in this |nergeney. I only wish all our |eople could know the real condI- Ions of privation which have come |o my attention during the last few Eeeks, Of course we always have few people who are unfortunate |uds through sickness and other mls- brtune are in need, even in times Ii prosperity.
 seBut conditions now are very |rave. Many families which had |aved reasonable amount Tor fainy day are now in distress: It as not their fault, but they nave |een out of work for so long they ave nothing to eat except what IS |iven them. It pains them oeepis k ask for aid. Only necessity and he distress of their wives and ch1l- |ren force them to accept help.
 .eMost of our people don't know ov general unemployment is in our tv and district I preach each das Ii shops and industries in different
 arts of the city and recently many if these meetings have been calico |ff because there were no men em- loved to hear me. These peopie rho are need are anxious to work. Inf they can get nothing to do.' | ave, tried to get places for many |f tbern. but have succeeded in only :"
 lew instances,
 nJfhaye calls at my home and ehurca
 very day and I visit many or these h nailies and 1 know their conult lohs. Ehey must have help and have It At nce. This is grave emergencs
 nd know that the generous heart
 z Pirmin sham will not see them
 \, ffar nrivation, hunger and illness Eithout ssistance.
 .sWhile I was attending the meet .,e of the relief committee Frlday'
 prominent man there gave me Iill 10 use in helping people. Was lad he did, for when reached holue
 fo,nd that several people in des- t,i4as circumstances had called Tn my
 1Ssence and some of them had no
 ,od for that day. I was able With bs money this gentleman gave me n ride them over for brle1 perlou'
 ..Nany of us have very llttle v i've. but who would not make d Sd 'ifice to save his neighbor rom sur erir,gs and his neighbors chiioieh rom want and distress! Goo "iii :, yard the man or woman oi .,a ,,,ta ministers to the needs of the
 ,.fortnnate in this grave crisis. My ,raver is that all might know the
 coalitions as I know them. If they id. the gifts would be ample to neet all needs"