Each November for the past 16 years, Caruso Chiropractic has held a food drive in celebration of its November 26th anniversary date.
The annual canned food drive benefits Orion/Oxford FISH and this year’s food drive will be held from Nov. 6-11.
The food drive is intended to not only benefit the individuals that FISH assists, but residents in the Lake Orion and Oxford areas that would like to receive chiropractic care.
In exchange for a bag of canned or nonperishable food, current patients will receive one free adjustment and new patients will receive a free initial exam and x-rays.
‘This food drive not only helps needy people in this community through FISH, but it also gives other residents a chance to ‘try out? our clinic, and experience how chiropractic care can help them feel better and improve their overall health,? Sam Caruso said.
‘Our goal has always been to help people,? he added. ‘This food drive gives us a chance to help in more ways than one.?
Oxford/Orion FISH is a volunteer agency that helps low income people with emergency food, rent and utility bills.
The organization is also busy kicking off its holiday gift program, to help those in the community living on a tight budget.
Their ‘AngelFISH? program matches those in need with those willing to give, allowing a donor to adopt a child or children for the holiday season.
Each donor that agrees to purchase gifts for a child will receive clothing size and information and a short list of gifts on their child’s wish list.
There are children of all ages on the AngelFISH request list. Oxford/Orion FISH currently has an approved client base of over 450 individuals. Unfortunately, the organization will not be able to match adult clients this year because of the substantial increase in their client base.
Oxford/Orion FISH expects to match between 225 and 250 children this holiday season.
Because of this program, and the many other things that FISH does in the area, Caruso is honored to continue their parternship in the canned food drive.
‘The demand for services from FISH has increased so much in recent years, and we really want to continue helping them in their mission,? he said.
‘Dr. Sam is very committed to helping the community and this food drive is just one example,? said Carrie Wendt, who has worked for Caruso for 13 years. ‘I have seen many lives changed for the better through the work that Dr. Sam and this clinic has done.?
To meet the demand of their services in the area, FISH is in the process of relocating to a larger facility north of downtown Oxford.
To participate in the AngelFISH program, individuals or families requesting assistance and donors should call 693-0638 as soon as possible.
The deadline for individuals and families to request assistance is Nov. 15, and donors will need to complete their shopping by Dec. 7. All gifts will be distributed to families on Dec. 9.
If you would like to adopt someone but don’t have the time to shop, FISH will gladly accept cash donations or gift cards and will send volunteers to shop for you.
FISH also cross-references with other local agencies to prevent double dipping among holiday programs in our area.
To participate in the annual canned food drive at Caruso Chiropractic call the clinic at 693-4800.
Canned and nonperishable food items can be accepted at the clinic Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., plus on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Caruso Chiropractic is located in downtown Lake Orion at 25 S. Lapeer Street.
Donations can be accepted during the above hours, but appointments are necessary to receive free services, so please call ahead.