First response

Lutheran, The, Nov 2003 by Sigmon, Ellen

The Harrisons haven't needed the assistance of the Community Service Center or the food bank yet. Patsy Harrison said they had some savings, and their doctor's office gave them three months of their medications from the pharmaceutical samples they had in stock. She hopes they won't need further help-unless they aren't employed by Christmas.

They visited the unemployment office but in August hadn't yet received responses. "It's going to be really hard to come into a job," she said. "It's hard to place this many people."

Harrison said she would go back to school if she doesn't find work. "At 57, it's going to be hard to go back," she said, "but I know God's not going to give me more than I can handle."

"Although," she added, laughing, "sometimes I think he's got me confused with somebody else."

Sigmon is The Lutheran's North Carolina Synod correspondent and a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Hickory, N. C.