DURHAM, N.C.  The Rev. Scott Benhase is asking members of St. Philip's Episcopal Church and the community to donate the federal tax rebate checks they received to help struggling nonprofit organizations operate.
He told The News & Observer he realizes many families have already made plans for their rebates or may need the checks to make ends meet, but the agencies that help struggling families need help, too.
"Unemployment's still very high, a lot of people are out of work and the pressure on community agencies to provide for those who are in need is extremely high right now," Benhase said. "It's coming at the same time that those agencies are having to cut back because of state budget deficits. That trickles down to the local communities."
The church will host a Rebate Redemption Festival Sept. 19, with free games and music to bring attention to the need of local agencies for donations.
