What you don't know about Payday Lending is hurting someone . . . if not you.

South Carolina Christian Action Council joins AARP SC, South Carolina Fair Share and others to raise the issues, uncover the harm, and address concerns of payday lending as practiced in our state.

As John Ruoff, SC Fair Share, says: "We have a problem with the aggressive, possibly predatory practices of payday lenders who target military families, communities of color, and the elderly."

Beginning next week , coming to a community near you: Payday Lending Town Hall Meetings. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more and find ways you can help address these concerns.

Those who are hurting or have been hurt by these practices need your voice now.

From AARP: AARP South Carolina and our partners are very concerned about the impact payday lending is having on SC consumers as revealed in a recent AARP study. Did you know there are six payday lenders for every McDonalds restaurant in South Carolina and in 2004 they made over 4.3 million loans, more than the entire population of South Carolina. This tells us we have a problem with the aggressive, possibly predatory practices of payday lenders who target military families, communities of color, and the elderly.

During the 2006 legislative session, we and our partners advocated for statutory changes to payday lending, but no action was taken. As a part of our ongoing effort to address this issue, AARP South Carolina is sponsoring five Payday Lending Town Hall meetings around the state. The purpose of the meetings will be to hear from consumers, advocates, the faith community, credit counselors, lenders and other interested parties about payday lending issues and concerns and to discuss the need for industry reforms.

Join us to find out more about this industry and what you can do to help. For more information, please call us toll-free at 1-866-389-5655 or Teresa Arnold direct at 803-765-7374 or Jim Love direct at 803- 765-7371.

When: Thursday, September 14, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Myrtle Beach, SC-- Grand Strand Senior Center, 1268 21st Avenue North

When: Thursday, September 21, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Greenville, SC-- Greenville County Council Chambers, County Square--Conf. Room A, 301 University Ridge

When: Thursday, September 28, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Columbia, SC-- Suggs and Kelly Law Firm – Vista Room, 500 Taylor Street (Corner of Taylor and Huger Streets)

When: Thursday, October 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Charleston, SC--The Holliday Alumni Center - Renken Dining Room, The Citadel

When: Thursday, November 9, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Rock Hill, SC-- Baxter Hood Center - York Technical College, 452 S. Anderson Road

Nobel Peace Prize Winner, noted author and journalist, Elie Wiesel will speak at the Koger Center for the Arts on September 12 at 7:30 p.m.

TICKETS FOR THE KOGER CENTER HAVE ALL BEEN DISTRIBUTED. The Colonial Center has been engaged for overflow. No tickets are needed for the Colonial Center. Anyone may attend. The lecture will be shown live from the Koger Center on the large Jumbotron screens at the Colonial Center.

In addition to the lecture, there will be a symposium at the Law School Auditorium at 3:00 p.m. The Panel discussion: "Darfur: It's Happening Again" will be moderated by Charles Bierbauer, Dean, College of Mass Communications and Information Studies. Panelists will include Prof. Scott Straus, Prof. Ronald R. Atkinson, Prof. Ann Kingsolver and Prof. Joel H. Samuels.

For more information about these events click here.

For a biographical sketch of Elie Wiesel click here.