My 2 Cents: A few days ago, I got a telephone call at home from a charity that I used to support financially. My first thought, when I heard who was calling, is that the charity must be digging through its archives to get donors, because I can’t remember the last time I received their literature.

The caller explained that because of the ripple effects of layoffs and unemployment, her charity had seen both an increase in request for services from needy families and a drop in donations. Would it be possible for me to resume my support?

Well, not at this time, I said. My husband had been laid off too, and while he is back to work, we are still recovering from that situation.

Certainly, I told her, I would be glad to remember her cause in the future, along with other charities that we have backed off from.

She was gracious.

We know from recent headlines that Monroe County has been hit hard with unemployment, layoffs and labor buyouts. The economic impact is showing up in housing prices, charity campaign receipts, and number of people applying for assistance. There is also a different atmosphere now in the non-profit organization and civic club items that are listed on the Community Page for The Monroe Evening News – which is my reporting beat.

Obviously, the Monroe County community is on a budget. Making it to the next payday has rarely been so difficult for so many people.

Let’s pool our resources and ideas as neighbors and friends.