Family needs household basics

BY SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
12/11/12 at 7:50 AM

Give to the Neediest Families Christmas Fund and read all the stories in the series.

Jenny Bgoom and her family spent Thanksgiving at The Salvation Army shelter. They now live in public housing, but they don't have any furniture and only basic household items.

Without help, there wouldn't be much of a Christmas.

"We just don't have anything right now," she said. "We've had to make a lot of sacrifices."

In early October, Bgoom, her mother and her four children were driving to Oklahoma to live when they were in a traffic accident involving a driver who fell asleep.

Bgoom's mother was killed, and Bgoom suffered a leg injury that still affects her.

They made it to Oklahoma to live with her niece in Purcell, but she was evicted after a couple of weeks. They lived with a friend of her niece's for two more weeks.

There were too many people in the house, however, and Bgoom left for Tulsa and help from The Salvation Army.

The family lived in the shelter for 3 1/2 weeks before being accepted for housing with the Tulsa Housing Authority.

Now they're getting by on food stamps.

They have a few pans and plates and a couple of towels. They do their laundry by hand and hang it up to dry.

They don't have a car, so they take the bus or walk wherever they need to go.

They have one borrowed air mattress that they take turns sleeping on.

"It makes it difficult, but you have to manage," Bgoom said. "You just have to do the best you can."

Bgoom is unable to work because of degenerative disc disease, which can leave her bedridden for as much as two weeks at a time. She has tried to work but would always lose her job when she was in too much pain to work, she said.

"With that kind of work history, nobody's going to hire you anyway," she said.

Bgoom has twice been denied disability payments but plans to apply again soon.

She doesn't receive any child support. One of the children's fathers is incarcerated, and another doesn't work, she said.

Despite the family's struggles, Bgoom tries to stay positive, she said.

"It's hard sometimes, but we try," she said.

About the Neediest Families Fund Drive

The Neediest Families Fund Drive was established in 1928 to provide assistance to families in need during the holidays and the coming year.

This year's goal is to raise $300,000 by Christmas Eve. Last year's goal was exceeded; $334,888 was raised.

Each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday through the holiday season, the Tulsa World will spotlight families chosen by The Salvation Army to receive help through this year's fund.

None of the money raised is used for administrative costs.

Cash is not given directly to the families. They are given vouchers for specific needs.

To help families such as the one featured today, send a check or money order to the Neediest Families Fund Drive, in care of the Tulsa World, P.O. Box 1770, Tulsa, OK 74102.

Donations are tax-deductible, and donors can be anonymous.

Original Print Headline: Family needs household basics

Shannon Muchmore 918-581-8378
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Jenny Bgoom and her children, Mariano Esquivel, 8 (from left), Keanu Esquivel, 10, Andrew Bgoom, 4 months, and Phoniex Sutter, 5, recently moved to Tulsa. MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World