American Notes Charity

Six months ago 5.5 million people linked hands from California to New York in an extravagant fund raiser for the nation's hungry. Last week, after extended and cautious accounting, the sponsor of Hands Across America began handing out ) grants to local charities based on indicators of poverty and unemployment levels. The first installment of $576,665 (out of a total pool estimated at $15 million to $20 million) will go to agencies in the 15 least populous states, including Utah, Maine and the Dakotas. Metropolitan areas, where hunger and homelessness are most acute, can expect help through the winter. Ken Kragen, president of the Hands sponsor, U.S.A. for Africa, explained the caution: "You don't want to just throw money out there. It would have been there two days after Hands Across America if we had thought that it would make a meaningful impact."