Ellen Church at Craver, Mathews, Smith & Company sent us some heartfelt thoughts after reading the NY Times editorial on the latest government figures on income disparity in America.

Commenting on the reality that in 2006, after six years of sustained economic growth, 36.5 million Americans were living in poverty — 5 million more than six years before (at the end of the last recession), the NYT says:

“The economic party is winding down and most working Americans never even got near the punch bowl … And what is perhaps most disturbing is that it appears this is as good as it's going to get.”

Says Ellen:

“Why are nonprofits that serve America's needy so important? Read this editorial from today's New York Times that quotes the new census bureau data on income and poverty.

CMS is proud to serve compassionate causes such as Habitat for Humanity, City Harvest, Project HOPE and Heifer International who serve the needy here in the US. With the rising gap between those who live in poverty and those of us who are fortunate enough to make a decent living wage, we honor those organizations who make a difference in the lives of children and families here at home.

So thank you to the groups I am honored to partner with and to so many others of you out there such as The Salvation Army, America's Second Harvest, Covenant House, Christian Appalachian Project, Operation Smile, Catholic Relief Services and so many more. Without the daily devotion and dedicated efforts of groups like yours and your leadership, volunteers and donors — America's impoverished children and families would never have the hope for a better life.

And to those groups who lobby for higher minimum wages, free health care, improved education in our nation's public schools, civil rights for immigrants with and without documentation, and a fighting chance for a better quality of life for those who still seek that old American Dream, I salute you.”

Excellent reflections as we rest from our labors over the holiday weekend.

Roger & Tom

Disclaimer: Roger is founder and maintains an interest in CMS.