SVDP Georgia on “Sequester”

Uncharted waters! ATLANTA – (March 1, 2013) – Today, the United States is moving into unchartered territories because of the sequester. The sequester will hit all government spending across the board with exceptions for some programs and military personnel, but the full impact is not known and may not be felt by Americans for some time. If the sequester continues and layoffs become inevitable there is a possibility the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “SVdP”, one of the leading organizations fighting poverty and hunger in Georgia, to see an increase in requests for support due to the newly unemployed and a decrease or delay in the delivery of future services and funding not only directly to us but also to our partner agencies and state and local governments who support us.

“We cannot estimate the increase of individuals who may become unemployed if the sequester lingers,” said John Berry, CEO & Executive Director, SVdP. “However, we can only imagine the impact which may be felt by our organization, especially individual giving and government funding if the sequester continues. St. Vincent de Paul will be available to help those who need our assistance, but we must also be realistic knowing that we may not be able to help every person in need.” The unknown effects of the sequester can be challenging to non-profit organizations as well as the government. Funding from individuals and government entities may not be available therefore this decrease would affect the overall number of people that can be served in Georgia by SVdP and the organization will have to look for other ways to ensure its clients receive the services they so desperately need. SVdP hopes for a quick solution to end the sequester, thousands of Americans are dependent upon this, some may only be one paycheck away from poverty.

SVdP has provided direct aid, food, clothing, and shelter, as well as social services to individuals and families in need for more than 110 years. Last year, SVdP Georgia served more than 200,000 people and provided over $5.8 million in financial assistance to those we served. To learn more about SVdP and its mission or to make a contribution, please

visit www.svdpgeorgia.org or contact 678-892-6172.

John Berry, CEO/Executive Director is available for interviews. Contact the Communications Department at 678-892-6172.

Hope in Action. Changing Lives…One at a Time, Since 1903
2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30341 ● 678-892-6160 ● Fax: 678-892-6167 ● www.svdpgeorgia.org
Contact: Terri C. Medina, MPA
Director of Marketing and Communications
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia
2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
tmedina@svdpgeorgia.org
678-892-6172

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Tags: Advocacy, Georgia, Homelessness, Hunger, Sequester, SVDP