tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604607987271147807.post6330184935370525178..comments2023-09-22T13:43:29.141-04:00Comments on Michaelann Land: Open Pantry backstabbers: bad reporting assists cowardsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03455366984301716210noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604607987271147807.post-36233148468238378562008-07-28T16:04:00.000-04:002008-07-28T16:04:00.000-04:00Apparently Ms Barry loves supports cowards all of ...Apparently Ms Barry loves supports cowards all of the time. She does the same the next day! http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/07/by_stephanie_barry_sbarryrepub_1.html?category=Crime+category=StatehouseMarisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00832295441592206046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604607987271147807.post-73310687707711370742008-07-26T10:19:00.000-04:002008-07-26T10:19:00.000-04:00I don't know why Stephanie Barry wrote the article...I don't know why Stephanie Barry wrote the article this way. I spoke with her on the record. The comment about the state providing new money directed toward emergency homelessness responses is mine. I don't know who else she is refering to in the plural "experts" and "advocates." I also told her that the City is not taking a position (in support or opposed) on Open Pantry's funding request to the state. <BR/><BR/>My comments to her concerned the context of Open Pantry's plea for new funding. I indicated that there has been a tremendous amount of planning around the response to homelessness at the state and local level, and efforts are being directed toward obtaining funding for long-term solutions, not toward expanding emergency solutions.<BR/><BR/>I know that Open Pantry does not consider this to be "new" money, but it is to the legislature. The $400,000 that Open Pantry "lost" was buying emergency shelter beds, and is now buying those beds, for $400,000, from Friends of the Homeless. <BR/><BR/>How far could new funding of 400,000 a year go toward long-term solutions? It could fund housing subsidies for over 60 people. In fact, I believe that a key component of Springfield's 39% reduction in street homelessness last year was due to the City dedicating just about $400,000 toward housing subsidies for people who have been chronically homeless. <BR/><BR/>Meanwhile, Open Pantry operated its food pantry and soup kitchen without this funding for the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008. (The Warming Place funding of $400,000 stopped June 30, 2007.) I know that their food programs have multiple funding sources, including $145,000 from the state, $20,000 from the City, FEMA funds, and contributions from the community. <BR/><BR/>As this funding debate goes on publicly, I think these are important points that should be taken into consideration.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604607987271147807.post-90215790611467583872008-07-26T03:07:00.000-04:002008-07-26T03:07:00.000-04:00I couldn't resist commenting about this topic in m...I couldn't resist commenting about this topic in my blog.<BR/><BR/>http://ramblingvandog.blogspot.com/2008/07/blogger-backlash.htmlVanDoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17196648506951559534noreply@blogger.com