Sinclair Cares: From Homeless to Hope
As part of the effort, Sinclair will produce content to air within its newscasts throughout the campaign, which runs from March 17- March 23. Sinclair stations will also air a 30-minute special on March 22 and 23 (airing on stations' websites on March 19) that delves into the realities of homelessness across the country, told through the experiences of individuals and families impacted by housing insecurity.
The Sinclair Cares: From Homeless to Hope newscast segments and special will also showcase the critical work being done in local communities by The Salvation Army on the front lines - combating homelessness via emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing for individuals and families in need; financial assistance for families struggling with rent, utilities, and essential living expenses to prevent eviction; and empowerment through education, workforce development programs, and employment opportunities to regain financial independence.
Sinclair Cares: From Homeless to Hope will also be supported through public service campaigns across the company's owned and/or operated television stations.
'At Sinclair, we are committed to using our platforms to inform, inspire, and drive meaningful change,' said Rob Weisbord, COO and President of Local Media. ' Sinclair Cares: From Homeless to Hope aligns with our mission to spotlight critical issues and connect people with resources. By partnering with The Salvation Army, we hope to make a tangible difference in the lives of those facing hardships and inspire others to take action—whether by lending a hand to someone in need or offering resources to those seeking support.'
'The Salvation Army is committed to providing lasting solutions for individuals and families in crisis. Through emergency assistance, transitional housing, case management, and holistic wraparound services, we strive to meet immediate needs while empowering people toward long-term stability,' said, Colonel James Betts, National Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army. 'Our work would not be possible without partners like Sinclair, whose commitment to amplifying the message of urgent need for housing support drives awareness and mobilizes communities to take action. We are grateful for their commitment to sharing stories of hope and impact, inspiring others to join our vital mission—whether through volunteering, donating, or advocating, everyone has a role in ensuring no one faces homelessness alone.'
For more information on Sinclair Cares: From Homeless to Hope and ways to support the initiative or request assistance, visit www.SinclairCares.com.
About Sinclair Cares:
Sinclair Cares utilizes the strength of Sinclair Inc's properties to uplift organizations and inspire audiences and employees to make a positive impact in their communities. A company-wide initiative, Sinclair Cares mobilizes Sinclair's assets to support various community and charitable endeavors through financial assistance, volunteerism and raising awareness of important topics through Sinclair's media platforms. Recent partnerships include Reading is Fundamental, National Diaper Bank Network, NAMI, Feeding America, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), The American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.
About Sinclair:
Sinclair, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) is a diversified media company and a leading provider of local news and sports. The Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all the major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel and multicast networks Comet, CHARGE!, TBD/ROAR, and The Nest. Sinclair's content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation's largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army helped nearly 27 million people in 2024 overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships in nearly every zip code. By providing food, shelter, eviction prevention assistance, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, after-school and summer youth programs, spiritual enrichment, and more. The Salvation Army is doing the most good at more than 6,400 centers of operation around the country. For more information, visit www.SalvationArmyUSA.org. #DoingTheMostGood
Category: General
Sinclair: Jessica Bellucci,
SOURCE: Sinclair, Inc.
Copyright Business Wire 2025.
PUB: 03/12/2025 11:00 AM/DISC: 03/12/2025 11:00 AM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
What the Fast Food Industry Is Telling Us About the Economy
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. For many Americans, cutting back on dining out is one of the first signs of financial pressure—especially among lower- and middle-income households. And when they do choose to eat out or order in, they're shifting to lower-cost options. That change is showing up in restaurant sales. Between January and March, Americans ate one billion fewer restaurant meals than during the same period last year, according to market research firm Circana. So-called "fast casual" chains like Cava, Sweetgreen, Panera Bread and Shake Shack—viewed by many as too expensive for everyday dining—are the first to send the distress warning. Cava, which posted double-digit same-store sales growth in the first quarter, slowed to just 2.1 percent in the second. Sweetgreen reported a 7.2 percent sales decline in Q2, while Chipotle dropped 4 percent. Analysts say these chains are caught in the middle: too pricey to compete with budget deals at fast-food chains, yet not premium enough to justify the cost when consumers are watching their spending. "There's a fog for consumers where things are changing constantly and it's hard to see the clear," said Cava CFO Tricia Tolivar, according to CNBC. Sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman said the company began seeing a more cautious consumer starting in April, aligned with a dip in consumer sentiment that manifested around the time of President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement. Chipotle COO Scott Boatwright pointed directly to the rise of low-cost competitors. "You have to look no further than what's going on with our competitors with snack occasions or $5 meals. That's where the consumer is drifting towards," he said. Customers order food at a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant on April 26, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Customers order food at a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant on April 26, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Getty Images A Broader Economic Signal The restaurant slowdown is part of a larger shift in consumer behavior. U.S. inflation was 2.7 percent in July, but core inflation—excluding food and energy—jumped to 3.1 percent, the fastest pace in five months. Meanwhile, job growth has slowed, and Trump's renewed tariff policies are raising prices on imported goods. Combined, these factors are hitting household budgets. "Tightening the belt on restaurant spending is one of the earliest signs that households are feeling economic strain," said Todd Belt, professor at George Washington University. "It's not just about skipping a night out—it's about families making daily trade-offs." The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index rose slightly to 61.7 in July, up from 60.7 in June but still down 7.1 percent compared to a year earlier. While views on current conditions improved—rising 4.9 percent month over month—the expectations index, which reflects longer-term outlook, fell to 57.7 and remains more than 16 percent below where it stood last July. Consumer sentiment improved for the second straight month, inching up a scant single index point from June. Consumer sentiment improved for the second straight month, inching up a scant single index point from June. University of Michigan That shift is already playing out in restaurant foot traffic. Fast-food visits declined 2.3 percent in the second quarter. Chains including IHOP, Denny's, Wendy's and Sweetgreen all warned of declining sales and softer foot traffic. "Right now we have highly leveraged consumers," said Sally Lyons Wyatt, a Circana adviser, in an interview with the Financial Times. "It's going to take a lot of levers being pulled in order to get consumers more comfortable to spend more money out of home." Value Still Wins Some brands are adjusting more successfully. Domino's posted a 5.6 percent gain in U.S. same-store sales in the second quarter, rebounding from a decline earlier this year. Papa John's also returned to growth after two straight quarters of losses. McDonald's has outperformed by leaning heavily into value. Its U.S. same-store sales rose 2.5 percent in Q2, supported by a national $5 combo meal and a refreshed McValue menu. "Re-engaging the low-income consumer is critical," CEO Chris Kempczinski said on the company's July earnings call. "We've got to get that fixed." Chili's has also gained ground with its "3 for Me" deal, starting at $10.99, which helped drive a 31 percent increase in same-store sales and a 21 percent boost in traffic. Taco Bell's $5 and $9 Luxe Cravings Boxes are resonating with lower-income and younger diners. A closeup view of the exterior of a McDonalds in Kissimmee, Florida on February 6, 2022. A closeup view of the exterior of a McDonalds in Kissimmee, Florida on February 6, 2022. Getty Images On social media, consumers are vocal about the growing price gap. "Sweetgreen charged extra for every small thing you add to the bowl, and the base price is like $16. At those prices, I'll go somewhere nice," one user wrote on X. Another said, "$12 burrito, $3 guac, $3 drink—at that point, I'm just eating at a real restaurant." Some fast-casual chains are trying to respond. Cava has added about 50,000 loyalty members a week and now counts nearly 8 million users. Sweetgreen has increased protein portions and added $13 loyalty-exclusive bowls, though sales have continued to decline. Still, executives say improvement depends largely on economic factors out of the restaurants' control. "I think much of what we're experiencing right now is due to macro and the consumer—the low-income consumer is looking for value as a price point at present," Chipotle's Boatwright said. The company recently lowered its sales growth forecast for the second time this year.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
This Small Town Is Seeking a 225% Property Tax Increase
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Homeowners in the small town of Wellington, Utah, could soon be facing much larger property tax bills as city authorities are seeking a more than 225 percent increase after years of stalling rates. A looming decision on the property tax hike was postponed on Wednesday by the Wellington City Council after an hourslong public hearing on the same day revealed the depth of residents' concerns over the potential financial burden they could shoulder from a hike. It is a burden that has gotten heavier for millions of Americans across the country in recent years, as property tax bills have raised in step with home values following the pandemic homebuying frenzy. Nationwide, according to a report by Redfin, property taxes rose by nearly 30 percent between 2019 and 2024, reaching a monthly median of $250. 'A Pretty Harsh Thing To Swallow' Under the proposal made by Wellington authorities, the property tax on a $256,000 residence would increase from $216.41 to $704.00, which is $487.59 per year. The tax on a $256,000 business would increase from $393.47 to $1,280.00, which is $886.53 per year. During the public hearing on Wednesday, Wellington Mayor Jack Clark told a room packed with residents critical of introducing such a steep increase that the hike was necessary. "This is a pretty harsh thing to swallow," Clark said, as reported by Castle Country Radio. The revenues generated by higher property taxes, he said, will be used for public safety, road repairs, utilities, and other operations essential to keep the city running." Newsweek reached out to the mayor's office via email. A low-angle shot of house construction in Utah. A low-angle shot of house construction in Utah. Getty Images The tax hike, if implemented, would bring the city's revenues up to $1,646,775—which would still leave a gap of $26,550 when compared to Wellington's total expenses, which amount to $1,673,325 according to the city. Without the tax hike, the city would face a shortfall of $400,000. "This is about preserving the city we have and preserving the future," Clark said. The Highest Increase in the State—but Not the Only One The 225.3 percent property tax hike requested by Wellington authorities was the highest sought by in the entire state of Utah for 2026, according to data shared by the Utah Taxpayers Association, an advocacy group calling for lower taxes and sound tax policy in the state. "Wellington is a victim of its previous elected officials not being willing to make the hard decisions," a spokesperson for the Utah Taxpayers Association told Newsweek. "While the mayor explained in his comments [on Wednesday] that those before him could have done more to prevent such a dramatic increase, he's now left having to figure out how to get the city in a good spot, financially speaking." But Wellington was not the only small town in the state that pursued double-digit increases. Uintah City was seeking a property tax increase of 100 percent; Gunnison City of 78.89 percent; Eureka City of 72.21 percent; Howell City of 65.86 percent; and Willard City of 45.51 percent. Some of these cities still have to hold truth-in-taxation hearings during which residents have a chance to comment on the proposal's to hike their property taxes. During such a meeting on Wednesday, Wellington residents expressed their concerns over such a massive increase being suddenly implemented. "I'm heartbroken because I thought this would be a forever house," resident Erin Hansen said during the meeting, as reported by Castle Country Radio. "But the reality is these taxes are going to be more than my mortgage. I can't afford to live here." City authorities say the proposed hike is so high because Wellington has not increased property taxes since 2017. But residents think that officials should not try to make up for lost time in one large hike. "I'm imploring you guys to make some of those overdue needs overdue some more," resident Bill Barnes said. According to the Utah Taxpayers Association, the state system is setup up "such that elected officials cannot ignore property taxes. They need to make hard decisions and work hard with their constituents to educate and inform them as to why an increase is needed." The group applauds the current elected officials for "having the courage to get Wellington back in the black in its finances but caution them to not forget about property taxes in 5-7 years when it will likely be time to make another adjustment." What Happens Next While the decision to postpone a potential approval of the hike was something of a victory for local residents, city officials could still decide to green light the 225 percent increase later in the year. Wellington City Council has until October to make a decision over the hike.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Americans Fear End of Social Security as They Know It
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Seven in 10 Americans worry that Social Security won't be there for them when they retire, according to new survey from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (TCRS). TCRS is a division of Transamerica Institute (TI), a nonprofit, private operating foundation, and conducts one of the largest and longest-running annual retirement surveys of its kind. For generations, Social Security, which celebrated its 90th anniversary on August 14, has formed the bedrock of retirement income for tens of millions of Americans, and also pays out benefits to disabled people and survivors of deceased workers. However, despite its enduring popularity and importance, it faces a looming insolvency crisis that lawmakers have less than 10 years to solve. The survey from TCRS, which polled 10,009 adults above the age of 18 between September 11 and October 17, 2024, found that among non-retirees, 71 percent agreed with the statement: "I am concerned that when I am ready to retire, Social Security will not be there for me." Almost nine in 10 Americans (87 percent) have one or more greatest retirement fears, ranging from health to financial. The top two greatest fears are declining health that would require long-term care (39 percent) followed by Social Security being reduced or ceasing to exist in the future (37 percent). According to the latest report from the Social Security Trustees, the program's two trust funds—the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) funds—are projected to reach insolvency by 2034. At that point, benefits would be funded solely through incoming payroll taxes, triggering an automatic cut of around 21 percent unless Congress takes action. While several options have been tabled by lawmakers to fix the issue, such as The Fair Share Act and raising the retirement age, no meaningful progress has been made. Doug Carey, founder of WealthTrace and a chartered financial planner, told Newsweek that the main driver of fears around Social Security's longevity is this political inaction. "I believe it's the political climate and the lack of action over many administrations," he said. "Most politicians do not want to touch benefits since they believe it will only hurt their reputation and reelection chances now. That is why this keeps getting pushed into the future until it simply has to be addressed." Stock image/file photo: An elderly woman holding an empty wallet. Stock image/file photo: An elderly woman holding an empty wallet. GETTY The study also revealed Americans are concerned about seeing their personal savings through their post-working years. Sixty-three percent of Americans said they either believe they won't save enough to meet their needs by the time they retire or, if already retired, they failed to save enough—28 percent "strongly agree" and 35 percent "somewhat agree" with that statement. And for nearly a third of Americans—32 percent—Social Security is expected to be their primary source of retirement income. That compares with 29 percent who expect to rely primarily on retirement accounts, 12 percent on other savings and investments, and 11 percent on continued work. Only 9 percent see a company-funded pension as their main income source. The survey also showed that reliance on Social Security is even greater among retired women with six in 10 women retirees (59 percent) indicating it is their primary source of income, compared with 47 percent of men retirees. For those not yet retired, 29 percent of women and 22 percent of men said Social Security was their expected primary source of retirement income. Carey added that many Americans are already adjusting their retirement plans based on the assumption of reduced benefits. "What many people are doing is simply assuming their benefits will be cut by anywhere from 25 percent to 50 percent. They can then plan accordingly by retiring later, saving more, or changing their planned spending in retirement," he said. Some, Carey noted, choose to claim benefits early at age 62 to "lock in" payments, believing they are less likely to be reduced once started. Jackson Ruggiero, co-founder of told Newsweek that the poll's findings are unsurprising. "The program is facing real financial challenges, but just as importantly, people don't trust Congress to fix it in time," he said. "Because of this uncertainty, many people are changing how they plan for retirement. Younger workers especially are focusing more on personal savings through 401(k)s and IRAs, and some are assuming they'll get little or nothing from Social Security. That's understandable, but also a bit extreme." Looking forward, Ruggiero advised a balanced approach for those concerned about their retirement savings and the future of Social Security. "Plan like your benefits might be reduced, not gone. Save what you can now, take advantage of employer retirement plans, and if possible, delay taking Social Security to get a bigger monthly check," he said. Both experts agreed on one point—Congress is moving too slowly to fix the looming insolvency dilemma. "They are doing nothing, and I predict they won't do anything until the year where it's clear Social Security benefits will have to be cut. Currently that is 2033," Carey warned. This is not the first time Social Security has faced a funding cliff. In the early 1980s, the trust funds were similarly close to depletion. Lawmakers responded with reforms that included faster payroll tax increases, a gradual rise in the retirement age, and taxation of some Social Security benefits. "Social Security has served as the cornerstone of retirement income since its establishment nine decades ago. It provides millions of older Americans with guaranteed income, so that they can retire with greater financial security," Catherine Collinson, CEO and president of Transamerica Institute, said. "With the estimated depletion of the Social Security trust funds looming large, now is the time for policymakers to identify reforms that can help ensure the program's sustainability for the next 90 years."
