These non-profits have been supported by both blue collar and white collar wage earners in the recent past, but they have to come to grips with the fact that the national GOP's and Walker's war on worker's wages and benefits including defunding union representation will also defund these wonderful institutions.

It's too bad some of these folks probably voted for Walker the first time, maybe they're starting to finally figure it out.

Again, there are people who abuse the system. That is not ECHO's fault.
Secondly, the employees at ECHO are not over paid. Most have college degrees, some with Masters and they are working day in day out doing case management, meeting with clients, talking to donors, networking to get lodging. Not to mention being accountable to state and federal regulations. None of these employees could support themselves on the wage they are paid at ECHO (and they do not complain about it).
ECHO employs social workers, could you walk in and do case management, could you have empathy and respect? Could you keep track of hundreds of clients? Give financial counseling? Assist mentally ill clients? Refer to county resources? Keep %100 confidentiality?
Seriously, I have had the privilege to volunteer with ECHO employees and they are the most caring, humble people I have ever had the opportunity to spend time with. Most work many, many more hours than they get paid for.
YES there are citizens who totally take advantage, but ECHO is there for everyone and they help some very good people who are down on their luck.
And before it is even considered, no, I am not nor have I been a client of ECHO. I have, however, worked in the non-profit sector and I know how demanding and stressful it is to go home and know you didn't have the funding to help really good people. As a social worker you take your job home, and you take those who are truly in need in your heart.

I don't see it as being hateful. It's being honest. Have you ever been behind somebody in the grocery store and they have $300 worth of things and 80% of it junk food, soda,deli and bakery. Well I check groceries and see it daily. Yes it angers me but I have to bite my tongue. It's not so much the things but it's the attitude they have. I have see Quest cards with a remaining balance of $400 after they have spent $200-$300 at the grocery store. You can't tell me that some of these same people don't go to the food banks also. These people eat better than lots of working people do. You can say it's being mean if you like but if you are honest you feel the same way about them being on your back you just think that saying it makes you a bad person. Well so be it, I will say it. It really makes me angry . While I'm venting I may as well go all the way in saying if Echo is hurting so bad then why don't those pay checks they have just enough money to cover get cut or use volunteers. You would change your tune if you were told I'm sorry but because things are so bad right now your pay check is suspended or cut by %50 until things get better. Then you wouldn't think people were being so mean in being so angry about the abuse of the food stamps and food pantries. There I have vented and feel better. Have a nice day..

There is a meanness, a real hatefulness that is going around concerning people who are needy. This is unfortunate because due to various economic problems, there are getting to be more and more people who need assistance. This hatefulness comes along at a time when the governor of this state has made comments such as "drop the bomb" and "divide and conquer", referring to Wisconsin citizens.

I will state right now that his divisiveness and non leadership has enhanced these attitudes towards the needy. He has brought out the bad in people. He is doing the State of Wisconsin a great disservice, and has inflicted grievous damage on the morale and attitude of Wisconsin Citizens.

Like was stated before, ECHO does do case management, they sit and talk to people, they give out lists of available jobs for clients to apply for. People can only get food once a month.
It appears that there is a lot of ignorance about who is in need, and a lot of judgement about those who are just trying to scrape by. Yes! there are people who abuse the food stamp programs and even ECHO. But there are plenty of good, caring people who just need help.
It just makes me sick to hear the condemnation on here, must be nice to be so perfect and to exist in life on a pink cloud where you never need help!
And FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, ECHO DID NOT TURN DOWN THE MONEY FROM HOOTERS!!! How long are you people going to beat that horse? Are you kidding me? That has to have been at least 10 years ago, it was retracted NUMEROUS TIMES.
I completely support ECHO and I admire what they do and who they do it for! So keep it up, people of ECHO!

ECHO provides services to low-income residents. Donnaw, this includes case management, like working with them on budgeting, finding jobs, and other things needed to help them overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. ECHO prepares a job listing, based on job openings in the Sunday newspaper, that is copied and given to people weekly. ECHO does not provide job training, but has people go to the Job Center for that. Sandman, ECHO does not have a bottomless pit or endless handouts. Food is available once a month to income-eligible people. Rent assistance is available, when funding permits, one month rent in 12 months. If people are experiencing homelessness, ECHO provides lodging (if the shelter is full), and the person must be willing to work on a weekly action plan. It's about keeping people safe. Bus or gas is once a month to get to jobs, if there is funding. To get gas, they must have a valid driver's license and insurance. Melstew47, food stamps (Food Share) varies alot, based on household income and family size, From $16/month - a few hundred, depending upon many circumstances. Saxcat70 - you have incorrect information. ECHO never turned down the money you are referring to when Hooters first came to Janesville. Hooters didn't end up calling ECHO to get an answer - the Gazette printed more than one correction about that when that misinformation came out. You must have missed all those corrections. However, Hooters has participated in ECHO's Eat Out for Hunger and Empty Bowls. Those were in the paper also. ECHO's website is www.echojanesville.org. If you are wondering about things, call ECHO at 754-5333 and get the right information.

The need here is for jobs, work ethic, responsibility, birth control...and suitcases - NOT bottomless, endless handouts, which often ultimately foster dependency and abuse.

Prime example of why you sometimes "need" the government. Faith based organizations can't always survive to help the needy expecially when those who used to give are now the needy.

Echo has rules on getting gas cards,you have to have a job,insurance,piece of mail and a current pay stub.as for the food situation,i think its ridiculous that they give out food to people who receive boat loads of food stamps each month.and i dont want to hear foodstamps are just a supplement,if you cant eat on 3 to500 bucks a month in foodstamps,maybe a person should budget better or slow dowm on the eating.most of us dont have anywhere that amount to buy groceries with.i think families who recieve a sufficient amount of foodstamps should not qualify to go there.people really abuse echo.

I bet that money Hooters wanted to give them would come in real handy right now.

Does Echo do any job counseling or budget suggestions with recipients? Or just hand out gas cards and food to anyone who asks? Just wondering.