what can we do? what should we do...

you know economic times are bad when tent cities are expanding. i didn't know these types of communities truly existed, but a recent article in usa today sheds light on the situation and makes me think that we're one step closer to a modern day grapes of wrath.

in this article, emily bazar points out some disturbing numbers about the growth rate of these communities across the country:

• In Massachusetts, a record number of homeless families need emergency shelter, says Robyn Frost, executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. In mid-April, there were 2,763 families in shelters, including 655 in motels because the shelters were full, an increase of 36% since July, she says.

"We have a high number of foreclosure properties, and many of them are multifamily apartments," Frost says. "We were seeing a great number of families being displaced."

• Reno officials shut down a tent city in October after making more shelter space available, but new encampments are popping up along the Truckee River and elsewhere, says Kelly Marschall of the Reno Area Alliance for the Homeless.

The homeless include "a startling number of first-time homeless," she says. "We asked them what industries they were involved in. The majority were talking about construction, the housing industry, real estate. There was a direct correlation to the housing market crash."

• In Santa Barbara, Calif., 84 men and women sleep in their cars, trucks or recreational vehicles in 17 parking lots around the city, says Jason Johnson with the New Beginnings Counseling Center, which runs the RV Safe Parking Program. The city, which allows the use of three municipal lots at night, supports the program, says city parking superintendent Victor Garza. Last May, there were 58 participants and no waiting list. Now 40 people are waiting.

when you look at numbers like these, the question then becomes for us (those lucky enough to be working): What can we do to help these people who are willing and able to work...but simply can't find a job?

i don't have any answers today but it gives me, and hopefully others, something to ponder. it truly is times like these that the collective (the public and government) should come together to try and make a difference.

to see the complete article, go to usa today.