Brandon Twp.- With less than two weeks to go until Christmas, the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund has been asked to help 12 group homes and 127 families, with the number still growing.
OCEF food pantry director Judy Henley is still taking calls everyday from people asking for assistance with food and gifts for the holidays.
‘If someone calls and asks for Christmas help, we’re only promising food,? says Henley. ‘If we can work something else out, that’s fine, but we can’t promise anything at this point.?
OCEF continues to seek donations of food, gifts and toys. Several local businesses are donation sites, as well as several area churches. All toys are needed by Dec. 16, because the OCEF toy store will be Dec. 17 at St. Anne Church, 825 S. Ortonville Road, during which time assistance applicants will choose toys for their children. Food distribution is Dec. 19 at the church, with donations hoped for by Dec. 18.
OCEF is particularly in need of toilet paper, laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, cereal, tuna fish and canned pasta such as Spaghettios and Chef Boyardee type items.
‘The canned pasta is really popular,? says Henley. ‘The more donations, the more food we can give to help them get through the two weeks that the kids are out of school.?
OCEF also gives out $15 gift cards to Bueche’s to help cover the cost of a ham or turkey for families seeking help.
Henley said the bulk of those seeking assistance have children, but there are also senior citizens. Most are struggling with the poor economy, not making enough money to support their families and having more trouble with rising energy costs.
? If they scrambled before to keep the heat on and bills paid, they will struggle even more this winter,? she said. ‘We’ve had some really good donations. People are bringing in gifts, toys and food. Hopefully it will all work out. We have faith and trust it will.?
In addition to donations, OCEF also needs volunteers for sorting food and gifts on Dec. 18 and distribution on Dec. 19.
To volunteer, call Karyn Milligan at (248)-627-3543.
For information on donating or if you need assistance, call Judy Henley at (248)-627-3965.