A Family At The Brink

"The Other America": A New York Family Goes From Middle Class To Shopping At A Food Pantry

(CBS)  It's just a few blocks from her home in Endicott, New York -- but this is a walk Brenda Hudy has never made.

"I heard that you had a food pantry here," Brenda says as she stands outside a door to a church. "… and I'm here to get help."

It's the wrong door, but the right place: "Mother Teresa's Cupboard."

"Hi, how are you?" asks Mary Roma, the Director of Mother Teresa's Cupboard.

"Could be better," Brenda says.

"I know, I know," Mary says. "It's not easy."

It's not easy because it's Brenda's first-ever trip to a food pantry, reports CBS News correspondent Seth Doane.

"The only requirement for you coming here is that you need food," Mary says.

"Why do you think it's so hard?" Doane asks. "Just the uncertainty?"

"Yeah, of what's going to happen," Brenda says tearfully. "Because with the house foreclosing and having trouble buying food … sorry, it just makes it really hard."

Just how hard was clear the night before as Brenda prepared dinner for her family. She shows Doane her nearly empty cupboard.

Brenda and her husband Mark try to keep things normal for their growing boys -- Kyle and Brandon. Normal used to be a comfortable middle-class life making $70,000, until Mark fell off a ladder at work installing cable. He was a subcontractor and didn't have insurance.

"It feels like someone is just taking my muscles in my leg and just is twisting them like a cloth," Mark says.

He now suffers from a painful nerve condition called RSD.

"I wasn't broke two years ago," he says. "I worked and I worked every day and I worked hard, and now I can't."

So Brenda does work part-time cleaning a nearby church. Combined with Mark's disability check, they bring in less than $25,000 a year.

"We've had to sell a lot of things," Mark says.

The first to go were vacations and motorcycles.

"A few weeks ago we did have no money," Brenda says. "to go and buy food so we went to our local pawn shop."

But that didn't make much of a dent, and now they're about to lose their electricity and house.

"This electricity notice is for 12 days from now," Doane says. "The foreclosure, same date, date before, it's all right around the corner."

"Right, which is very difficult to even want to face," Brenda says.

They have no idea where they'll be next week. At least today Brenda was able to find some food and some comfort, too.

[vt4011]

How much is th electric bill and how much is the house payment ?

[ahsatterfi]

Is there some way to send help to this family thru their church or the CBS affiliate in Endicott, NY?

[catieb73]

What saddens me is that this family is working so hard to survive... living paycheck to paycheck, and reaching out the the food bank to survive, and yet Brangelina is paid a reported 14 Million Dollars for pictures of their new twins. I''m sure Brangelina will reach out and help those less fortunate than themselves, but imagine how much 14 million would help this family and others like them.

[sfden]

Provide us with more info, and I''m sure people will help - myself included

[catieb73]

What saddens me is that this family is working so hard to survive... living paycheck to paycheck, and reaching out the the food bank to survive, and yet Brangelina is paid a reported 14 Million Dollars for pictures of their new twins. I''m sure Brangelina will reach out and help those less fortunate than themselves, but imagine how much 14 million would help this family and others like them.

[catieb73]

What saddens me is that this family is working so hard to survive... living paycheck to paycheck, and reaching out the the food bank to survive, and yet Brangelina is paid a reported 14 Million Dollars for pictures of their new twins. I''m sure Brangelina will reach out and help those less fortunate than themselves, but imagine how much 14 million would help this family and others like them.

[catieb73]

What saddens me is that this family is working so hard to survive... living paycheck to paycheck, and reaching out the the food bank to survive, and yet Brangelina is paid a reported 14 Million Dollars for pictures of their new twins. I''m sure Brangelina will reach out and help those less fortunate than themselves, but imagine how much 14 million would help this family and others like them.

[noaanhc]

Things keep getting worse and worse everyday for
the middle class family.This nation,indeed the world is in such a sorry state that I truly believe that another great depression is possible Would have never even thought of this happening just a few years ago, but now I fear this may come to pass.

May God help us all.

[catieb73]

What saddens me is that this family is working so hard to survive... living paycheck to paycheck, and reaching out the the food bank to survive, and yet Brangelina is paid a reported 14 Million Dollars for pictures of their new twins. I''m sure Brangelina will reach out and help those less fortunate than themselves, but imagine how much 14 million would help this family and others like them.

[margeintx]

The story is very moving and disturbing.
Far too many Americans are living on the tipping point which could include myself
if I were suddenly disabled or unemployed. Surely you have or will have received tremendous feed back
from this story with requests of how to help the Hudy''s. Should an effort be organized to help this family please advise so I can participate.
Regards

[catieb73]

What saddens me is that this family is working so hard to survive... living paycheck to paycheck, and reaching out the the food bank to survive, and yet Brangelina is paid a reported 14 Million Dollars for pictures of their new twins. I''m sure Brangelina will reach out and help those less fortunate than themselves, but imagine how much 14 million would help this family and others like them.

[catieb73]

What saddens me is that this family is working so hard to survive... living paycheck to paycheck, and reaching out the the food bank to survive, and yet Brangelina is paid a reported 14 Million Dollars for pictures of their new twins. I''m sure Brangelina will reach out and help those less fortunate than themselves, but imagine how much 14 million would help this family and others like them.

[sept2405-2009]

This story made me cry to see a young couple with kids trying to make ends meet. Please let us know how we can donate funds. Maybe at least keep their house and electric for another month. We are praying for you.

[dfccap]

I''m not rich but I''m able to work and provide for my family. I couldn''t imagine being hurt, unable to work and facing what these good folks are facing. Where can I send some money or make a donation to help them?

[annca-2009]

I am in the exact same boat and it is hard! I work very hard at a full-time job working with people who have disabilities. I am VERY poorly paid but LOVE my job. I just keep trying. What else can we do?

[ngmcder]

Why doesn''t Brenda work full-time?? Her kids look like they could take care of themselves for a few hours. I feel sorry for them but alot of other people have been living with or below their income of $25,000 a year and they are not on the news. I wish them luck and welcome to the majority of America!! Poverty or Bust!!

[jt92202]

I too feel very sorry for this family and like a lot of people in the US very few of them feel they will ever need the disability insurance needed in a case like this. Someone selfemployed should always carry insurance on themselves and anyone that doesn''t have it through thier work should too. We spend money on vacations, bikes, homes, toys and whatever we want but we should also spend money on what our family needs. I know most people out there feel as if they are going insurance poor ( I work in the industry and hear it all the time), until they need the insurance then it is all worth the money you put into it. I really hope the community can help this family out but before your in the same place as this family is call your financial planner and plan for your future with or without a disability!

[dowjones20k]

A very sad story .. but this seems to be a little self inflicted ...

Interesting how the report is devoid of other facts ... like how old the kids are .. how much debt the family had incurred ..

$70,000 annually in Endicott NY for a family of four is almost poverty ...

It is absolutely FOOLISH to work as a sub contractor and not carry workman''s comp insurance .. or other disability insurances that are available ...

So it seems the Hudy''s took some serious risks and they got bit ... sad but this is reality ..

[fritzheidi2]

I am very disturbed about this story. To think we are dumping billions into a foreign country and citizens in our great country are going hungry. We Americans need to help Americans please let me know how I can. Joyce in South Carolina

[coolbeans34]

Let us know how we can help! PLEASE! How much do they need to keep their house out of foreclosure or is it too late??

[b050760]

i know how this family feels as i was there a few years ago. it''s sad but you must do what you have to to make the family survive as a whole. please let me help. i don''t make much but they have nothing soon to come unless we as a whole pull together to help our fellow man. bless us one and all. love minnesota!!!!!!

[outash]

Please let me know, how can I help this lovely family. Is there anyway to donate money so they can pay some stuff as well as food?
This is wonderful USA, no one should go through this...
with all the love
OutAsh

[camper256]

We would like to offer help as well. Please let us know where to send donations. We would like to help the family if they would like to make a new start in another state. If so please give the Hudy''s our e-mail address.

[greenbuilder]

I would like to send a little help. I don''t have much money but I get a little over $100 a month from the VA. I can sent $100 from my next check if I know where to send it.

I would prefer to remain anonymous. Thank you.

[deacon20081]

25,000.00 a year and uncle sam takes his 20% isn''t that great!

[b050760]

this family really needs some help!!!! what does it take to save a real american family???!!! where''s bush when we really need his help????!!!! bonnie from minnesota

[fgreed]

Like many others, I would like to know how I could help this family.

[sandy777-2009]

I am in worse shape than these people. As a disabled, Vietnam Veteran, I only receive $931 per month from VA Pension, that''s $11172 per year. By the time I pay my mortgage of $625 per month, I hardly have enough left over for utilities and property tax. I am not receiving food stamps either. I have been living without hot water since April because the gas company turned my gas off because I could not pay the $670 bill for March and April.

I know alot of us are having a real rough time of it so I know what it feels like.

[retmilspouse]

I have compassion for these types of situations. But I agree with the other comments, instead of vacations and motorcycles they should have purchased Workmens Compensation Insurance. All self employed people pretty much know they have to pay their own taxes and get themselves Workmens Compensation Insurance. That is why they call things accidents. You cannot prevent them but you sure can lessen the blow. I think that is one thing that needs to be learned in this country pay for the things you need before you buy the things you want. A hard lesson to learn.

[fgreed]

ChezMichele...Your kidding..right?
You really don''t think this family has done everything to "tighten" their belts? I would assume that when you loose your home, and don''t know where you will be in a week, especially with 2 kids, that would define being on the edge.
Kudos for you for saving yourself. I sure hope others didn''t have the same attitude as yours when things got tight.
Let''s not judge...I am sure if they could change the past they would.

[mks91]

This is a very sad story. I would like to help them out. Can you post an address where we could send some money to help? I think people should not be so quick to judge. I have yet to have met someone who is perfect with their life decisions and are still happy. FYI Brangelina donated all of the 14 million to help children in need.

[stevador39]

The way to help these people is to include them in all the benefits the U.S. gives to foreign refugees from around the world. This country is displacing its own people to hand out privileges to foreigners. Another way to help is to tax religions and charities. that money could be used to help poor Americans with health care.

[retmilspouse]

FGReed, Thats right they cannot change the past. But the one lady in WI in the video spoke about well off people in their mini mansions not knowing how it feels, she should think twice about that comment. There are plenty of people that have done good and been where shes at. So talking about judging that is what she should take a look at herself.

[retmilspouse]

stevador39,
What a dumb comment. Most established religions either have created charities of their own to help the oppressed and underprivilidged or give alot to other charities that do. So you don''t know what you are talking about. My religion is supporting the very food bank charity that the lady in the article went to for help. Dont be stupid.

[jtpurdom]

It sucks for them, but they dug this hole. He made $70k/yr and didn''t buy insurance? My family lives on $27k/yr but I still scrape to make sure that my family is insured for just such a reason. I live in the same town but I can still provide a house, food, and electricity for my family of the same size. This story is more of a warning of how not succeed at life. Don''t pity these people. If your going to give food and money to someone, how about me? Or someone who truly needs needs it?

[apprxam]

This is what is called progress in America since the ReaganBushClintonCheney/Bush Thirty Years of crime and treason. McCain nor Obama is going to fix a *** thing when big business trumps all else in the economic tragedy called Post-60''s Capitalisim.

The new American dream: Eating food.

[jtpurdom]

It sucks for them, but they dug this hole. He made $70k/yr and didn''t buy insurance? My family lives on $27k/yr but I still scrape to make sure that my family is insured for just such a reason. I live in the same town but I can still provide a house, food, and electricity for my family of the same size. This story is more of a warning of how not succeed at life. Don''t pity these people. If your going to give food and money to someone, how about me? Or someone who truly needs needs it?

[onedndylyon]

The CBS affiliate is WBNG in Binghamton.
The church they went to is St. Ambrose on Washington Ave in Endicott, NY 13760
My sister told me of this story, so watched it online. Very typical of this area. NYS is so expensive to live in - their house is what used to be called EJ houses. Endicott Johnson - were built by the owner of the EJ shoe factory for its workers. Simple, but solid.
I''ll try to get hold of them tomorrow and see if anything is being done formally. I''ll write when I know.
Leslie

[sandy777-2009]

I am in worse shape than these people. As a disabled, Vietnam Veteran, I only receive $931 per month from VA Pension, that''''s $11172 per year. By the time I pay my mortgage of $625 per month, I hardly have enough left over for utilities and property tax. I am not receiving food stamps either. I have been living without hot water since April because the gas company turned my gas off because I could not pay the $670 bill for March and April.

I know alot of us are having a real rough time of it so I know what it feels like.

[dragonmaster11]

I just finished watching Brenda''s story and was moved to help that family. Please, if anyone has any information on where to send them something, pass that along. It would be a blessing to help her family. We''ve all made mistakes but that doesn''t mean that they, nor their kids, should have to go hungry now! Praise God for everyone on here that sympathizes with this family!

[txgrouch2006]

GET DISABILITY INSURANCE! If you depend on your income (who doesn''t), and you don''t have disability insurance, HOW WILL YOU PAY YOUR BILLS IF YOU GET INJURED??? HOW WILL YOUR FAMILY EAT???

47% of foreclosures are caused by DISABILITY!!!

[txgrouch2006]

Should an effort be organized to help this family please advise so I can participate.
Posted by MargeInTx at 07:39 PM : Aug 06, 2008

Yes there is such an organization it''s called A DISABILITY INSURANCE POLICY, which is designed to protect families against EXACTLY THIS SITUATION.

It''s unbelievable that a person was making $70K per year with NO PROTECTION AGAINST DISABILITY. A basic policy would not have cost too much on that kind of income.

AND ALMOST HALF OF HOME FORECLOSURES ARE CAUSED BY DISABILITY.

The time to get a disability insurance policy is BEFORE YOU''RE DISABLED. Don''t count on becoming a charity case on the news so generous people will send donations. IT HAPPENS TOO OFTEN FOR EVERY CASE TO GET ON THE NEWS.

[coolbeans34]

Leslie,
Thanks for looking into this. Please let us know how we can help this family after you make your calls today.

[coolbeans34]

I found their address and I''m sending a check today. This was posted on the blog part of another article on this site.
http://find.person.superpages.com/
Put in Mark Hudy and Endicott, NY and you''ll find the address.

[slim1h2o]

The time to get a disability insurance policy is BEFORE YOU''''RE DISABLED. Don''''t count on becoming a charity case on the news so generous people will send donations. IT HAPPENS TOO OFTEN FOR EVERY CASE TO GET ON THE NEWS.

Posted by txgrouch2006 at 11:51 PM : Aug 06, 2008

Even when people have disablity insureance, they often don''t pay when people get hurt on the job.

As far as I''m concerned this whole system needs to be scrapped.

[nyrick2]

What saddens me is the lack of research CBS did on this family and the actual reason they are on hard times. Mark is a drug addict and dealer. He currently sells and uses various pain pills as well as several other illicit drugs as he has for over 20 years. It truly sickens me that a news agency with the prestige of cbs would run this story with no background check.Before any of you people send money, make sure you are comfortable with supporting a drug addict. If anyone is curious as to how I know this, I was in business with him and his brother for several years before I cleaned up my act.

[sallard6]

Instead of checks maybe you could send dunkin donuts gift card seeing how this is where they go 3 or 4 x''s a day. I wouldnt be able to pay my mortage if I bought coffee 3 x''s a day & drove a large vechile. And what happened to the healthy wife not working full time? Of course most familys these days cant live off one income. The children are older and in school and the dad is home all day so why cant the healthy mom get a FULL TIME job.

[nardie55]

I want to help the Hudy''s, I to belive in play it forward. I found an address, but not sure it is the corect M. Hudy. How can I know? Jeanie in South Carolina

[onedndylyon]

#1 NYRick2 - Unfortunately, your claims are as unsubstantiated as the claims you''re making about CBS News.
#2 As for his addiction to pain meds - RSD will make a person appear addicted. RSD is generally fatal after decades of increasing pain.
#3 Anyone in NYS knows Workers Comp and self pay health insurance are unaffordable. My dad owned his own biz and got out for that reason. Workers Comp is also great at not paying out without years of lawyers.
He fell off a ladder and got hurt. It happens. What doesn''t normally happen is RSD. No one can expect that.
#4 I just looked at some NYS insurance requirements - whomever he was working for as the subcontractor would have required him to have insurance.

[nyrick2]

To onedndylyon:
You have done as much research as CBS news to say my claims are unsubstantiated! As I said I personally participated in illegal activities with Mark! I know people who currently participate in these same activities with him. This is firsthand knowledge, not rumor. I will gladly substantiate my claims to CBS or even police investigators. I had to provide my name and email address to CBS to post here and I encourage them to contact me as I have nothing to hide. Especially my contempt for drug dealers!