Peg Hill of Neighbor for Neighbor receives the same type of calls every year. People struggling to fill propane tanks or prevent utilities from being shut off as winter approaches and they struggle to stay warm and fed.
Hill and other volunteers at Neighbor for Neighbor are responding to the growing needs by helping the area’s less fortunate share in some holiday cheer.
On. Dec. 7 and 14, the nonprofit organization held ‘The Annual Holiday Store? at the Hart Community Center where recipient families can spend ‘Neighbor for Neighbor Dollars? on holiday gifts.
The store is filled with brand new items donated throughout the year or collected in by various organizations like local cub scout packs and schools.
Recently, volunteers at Neighbor for Neighbor have seen increases of people needing help.
‘Every month we’re getting more and more people seeking financial assistance and visiting the food pantry. People who may have never imagined they’d stop in a food pantry are,? said Vice President Peg Hill.
‘I don’t want to say it’s unemployment (causing the increase this year), I think it’s underemployment. People are working, but not earning enough to pay for rent, utilities and to eat at the same time.?
Volunteer Ivan Samuel of Springfield Township, a retired West Bloomfield school teacher, agreed about increased traffic to the organization.
‘There’s more people in need this year. It depends on the economy,? said Samuel.
‘Years ago we had a lot more than recently, (then) we went down. But now we’ve been gaining 3 or 4 families a weeks,? said volunteer Zoma Sommers of Davisburg.
Executive Director Ruth Karash, said the number of recipient families for the food pantry is approaching 500, a significant increase from her rough estimation of over 300 families last year. She said the recent increase resembles spikes felt in 1983 when the organization was founded to help those reeling from layoffs in the car industry.
Compounding the usual winter struggle is the amount of charity many people donated to help victims of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters occurring this year.
‘It’s affected us with monetary donations. We seem to be getting a lot of toys and clothes though,? said Hill. ‘Everyone feels stretched with Katrina, but it doesn’t make it any easier to be cold and hungry here.?
Despite some struggles to raise the money this season to assist all those in need, Hill acknowledged increased involvement by many organizations in recent years.
‘Now through after Christmas we’re accepting brand new gifts, food and money for adults and children,? said Hill.
Currently, Neighbor for Neighbor is not accepting the normal secondhand items until after the holiday season due to capacity restrictions.
‘We’re not accepting secondhand items now, but will need it after the holiday,? said Hill pointing out that shelves filled now may be empty after the holidays.
According to a Neighbor for Neighbor patron brochure, the organization has distributed 57.9 tons of food to recipients, paid utility companies $9,014 to prevent service shut-offs and $9,141 to prevent evictions over the last 12 months.
Neighbor for Neighbor is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization that provides food, clothing and financial assistance to Groveland, Holly, Rose, Springfield and parts of Independence and White Lake Township. For more info on donating, volunteering or assistance call 248-634-0900.