Brandon Twp.- They faced plenty of obstacles, including a snowstorm and a poor economy, but volunteers and donors came through once again for the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund, to make this year’s Christmas Food and Gift Distribution? the largest ever’a success.
OCEF helped more than 170 families (750 individuals) in need, as well as residents of 11 group homes.
‘It was our biggest distribution ever,? said Food Pantry Coordinator Judy Henley, who noted that last year OCEF helped 145 families at Christmas. ‘We have a lot of new people asking for help. It’s been awful. Each year you feel it’s getting worse.?
Henley noticed many similar comments from those seeking assistance, including: ‘I never ever thought I would have to ask for help,? or, ‘We managed to pay our bills, but we have no money for food.? ‘Some have been laid off and their unemployment has run out or is running out,? she said. ‘Others have a lack of work or not enough hours. The biggest thing I’ve heard is, ‘I never thought I’d be doing this, it’s so embarrassing. I’ve always donated to OCEF and now I can’t, I have to ask for help.??
Beth (not her real name) was one of the people needing help this year. The married mother of two boys, one high school age and the other in elementary school, had back surgery a month ago and will not be able to return to her minimum wage job as a direct care worker for two more months. Her husband, a carpenter, recently went back to work after being laid off for nine months. Prior to being laid off, he had hip replacement surgery.
‘You can’t make it these days, and Christmas is looming,? Beth said. ‘It’s amazing what OCEF does and they don’t make you feel stigmatized. They make you feel it’s Christmas… It’s the Christmas spirit and the true meaning of giving.?
OCEF provided Beth the items she needed to give her family a Christmas dinner and extras for her pantry at home. They gave her vouchers to Bueche’s and Cook’s Farm Dairy that she said makes it ‘personal? so the family can get what they really need. They also gave her gift cards to choose presents for her sons. Without them, she says, the kids would have gotten gifts but it would have been a struggle to get the bills caught up to April, and to eat. Currently, she and her husband make enough to pay the necessary bills and something else if they have a little extra.
‘Now we are able to make sure we can eat and keep a roof over their heads, too,? Beth said. ‘It takes the worry away and we can enjoy Christmas. For times like this, there’s not a lot of places people can turn to and feel good about it. I’ve heard of places that make you feel real bad for having to do it. But the OCEF volunteers make you feel welcome.?
Henley is grateful for the volunteers, who showed up Sunday to sort food and gifts for Monday’s distribution despite heavy snow that fell overnight.
We had enough toys for everyone and that was good,? she said. ‘The food went really well, so that was wonderful. We asked for Bueche’s gift cards and didn’t get enough, so we had to purchase some. But on the whole, considering the weather, it really went very well. It’s absolutely amazing what people out here do for one another.?