A couple of weeks ago, I shared information about the Stone Cottage Free Store in Three Rivers. Rumor has it that we have a homeless problem here in St. Joe County, and I wanted to let everyone know how much the Free Store is doing to help deal with those in need.
The Stone Cottage Free Store is part of the United Community Assistance Program (UCAP). The Free Store is located just west of the First Presbyterian Church in Three Rivers and UCAP has their office at the church, but the church is not affiliated with either of them.
Here is some information on what UCAP is doing to help:
- They provide vouchers for shopping at the Aldi’s and Harding’s stores.
- They provide vouchers for laundry and laundry supplies.
- They provide vouchers for gasoline.
- During the month of July, 2024, they served 122 clients.
- They assist with utility bills.
- They helped 38 new clients during July, 2024.
- Out of the 122 clients served in July, 84 of them were returning clients.
- During July, they had 6 families that had 5 or more family members.
From my point of view, I feel that St. Joseph County is doing a very good job when it comes to helping those in need. I’m hoping that there are homeless who are doing what they can to help themselves as well.
On my cell phone, I get an alert if I am receiving a possible “Scam” phone call. Many consumers are not as fortunate. The elderly are known to be easy prey for scammers. Scammers are now using artificial intelligence to trick consumers into “Voice Cloning”. Once a scammer gets you on the line, they can snag a snippet of your voice, clone it, and create a “voiceprint” That voiceprint allows a scammer to use your voice in future crimes. The solution is to NEVER have a conversation with a “Spam Caller”. Let all spam calls go directly to voice mail.
Here are two facts you will probably test to see if they are true: - You can’t see your ears without a mirror.
- You can’t count all your hair.
Here are a few facts that are probably very true: - If you are an average American driver, in your entire life, you will spend an average of six months waiting at red lights.
- Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.
- Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated.
- There are more chickens than people in the world.
- Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks; otherwise, it will digest itself. BON APPETIT!
S H A L O M!
Norm Stutesman lives in Three Rivers. He receives mail at P.O. Box 103 in Three Rivers.
