Nonprofits try to meet increasing requests for help with food and Christmas gifts

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, December 15, 2009

With requests for holiday food baskets more than tripling this year and a big spike in requests for gifts, several area nonprofits are organizing last-minute campaigns this week to help kids and families in need.

The jump in requests for food and gifts were made to 211, the county’s social services telephone hotline.

Holiday food basket requests increased to 824 this year from 229 last year, said Bill Brackin, program director of 211. Many of the calls came from the Everett, Snohomish and Lynnwood areas.

Requests for gifts jumped too, to 1,234 this year, from 978 last year, he said.

“This is just an indicator of how stressed the community is right now,” Brackin said.

Many people are hanging onto their homes “by the skin of their teeth — they can’t afford gifts for their kids or food for their dinners,” he said.

When United Way of Snohomish County took a look at the numbers, they decided to launch a special fund drive through its Web site to help out three area organizations — The Salvation Army food bank, the county’s food bank coalition and the holiday food basket program.

“We know the need is right now,” said Deborah Squires, spokeswoman for United Way of Snohomish County. “This is a ‘right now’ way to be able to help.”

The organization is asking people for donations of at least $10, and for donors to ask 10 other people to give as well, she said.

Although some people may think that $10 won’t go far, it can make a difference for social services agencies and those they serve, Squires said.

“Ten dollars will feed five people a hot Christmas dinner at The Salvation Army,” she said.

With help from the Internet and social networking sites like Facebook, “we can respond pretty quickly… and literally make a difference before Christmas,” Squires said.

The Salvation Army will be at the new Fred Meyer store on 164th Street SW in Lynnwood today, hoping to get donations of another 500 gifts, said Dana Libby, who helps lead the Snohomish County chapter.

Unwrapped gifts such as clothing for boys up to age 14 are especially needed, he said.

Clothes might not be as exciting a Christmas gift as a new game or toy, “but it’s an important thing to help families close the gap in their budget this year,” he said.

Volunteers of America had 1,309 families request holiday food baskets with another 300 families still on the waiting list, said Christin Froderberg, director of food bank services.

Meanwhile, the number of individual donors has declined, from 67 last year to 41 this year, she said.

However, that number does not include groups, church schools and businesses that also donate to the program.

“We appreciate the community coming together to think of those going hungry this holiday season,” she said. “Hopefully, we can work together to make sure they don’t.”

Support from area churches and organizations has helped the Snohomish County chapter of Catholic Community Services fill many holiday needs.

But gifts are still needed for kids 11 and up, such as hats, socks and coats, said Lisa Hunt, housing and emergency services manager.

Boys especially like CD, DVD and MP3 players, she said, while girls like necklaces, makeup, purses and scarves.

The organization also is still looking for sponsors for 50 food baskets for families, she said.

“We just want to put out a big thank you for everyone who has donated for kids and adults this year,” Hunt said.

“We’re so grateful. We were really nervous and we think the community really has pulled through for us.”

Two area organizations said that donors have filled all the needs of families they serve, despite the tough economy.

Deaconess Children’s Services was able to line up all the donors it needed for its families by Thanksgiving, said Felicia Freeman, president. The organization has programs to discourage child abuse and neglect and assist low-income families.

“The thing I’ve seen with the people we serve is their poverty has deepened,” Freeman said. “Many of our families have lost their jobs. It is a more difficult year this year.”

Vicci Hilty, deputy director of Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, said the holiday needs for children and women in its shelter program have been filled.

“People… want to share even in times when they don’t have a lot,” said “It may not be as much as it used to be but the love and caring is still there.”

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486, salyer@heraldnet.com.