By the Salina Journal

Beth's situation is not extraordinary nor uniquely tragic.

She is one among many Salinans struggling to support families large and small in an economic climate not weathered since the great Depression.

She once was making good money, pulling in as much as $1,000 some weeks in commissions and tips; however, slow periods, which were the rule, not the exception, routinely slashed those heady checks by two-thirds.

She considered her employment full time, even though she worked fewer than 40 hours a week with no benefits -- no health insurance, no retirement, nothing beyond a paycheck.

As the recession tightened its grip, the industry in which she worked suffered. Eventually, she was laid off.

She landed a part-time, minimum-wage job in food service, but the downturn battered even that sector and she was laid off again.

"I'm really emotional since I lost my job," Beth said, fighting back tears. "I don't want to stay at home all the time. I want to work and provide for my kids."

Beth (case number 0054), whose name has been changed for this story, is among individuals and families the Salina Christmas Fund hopes to help this holiday season. The fund, in its 26th year, provides gifts of food, clothing and other assistance to local needy families throughout the year.

Compounding Beth's economic woes is her health and that of one of her children. She suffers from a chronic condition that requires pricey prescriptions. One costs nearly $100 a month.

"I have to stay on that in order to work," she said.

One of her children has a neurological disorder that also requires medication. The discovery of the illness some years ago forced her to drop out of college.

Beth's children qualify for a medical card through the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, which covers prescriptions and medical services, but she is not covered.

She, as do others in the community without insurance, patronizes the Salina Family HealthCare Center. Each visit costs $15, and she must pay for her prescriptions. Occasionally, she must sacrifice. She did without gas service most of the summer and eventually was forced to sell her car, relying instead on the kindness of friends for getting around.

"Sometimes, I don't get the medicines I'm supposed to have. It makes it hard," she said.

More items than medicines are often cut from her personal budget.

"There are times I eat only once a day," she said. "I might not be able to do anything for me, but I do for my family."

Beth uses her mother as a role model in frugality.

"I credit her for being able to squeeze every penny out of every dollar," she said.

Beth wants to remain hopeful, but in the current job market, she is worried her unemployment benefits will run out before she finds another job.

"I have applications out, but it's tough right now," she said. "I'll do anything. Anything I can get my hands on."

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