Washtenaw County families requesting more help with holiday gifts

Washtenaw County’s social service agencies hope that donors in this season of giving will fulfill the holiday wishes of the increasing number of families seeking gifts for their children.

Requests for holiday assistance are up, officials said, leaving some groups unable to promise their clients that they’ll get help in the form of holiday presents.

At the same time, they’re watching donors feel the squeeze from the economy, too, either cutting back on what they’re able to give or in some cases turning into requestors for help.

“The need is tremendous,” said Debbie Williams-Hoak, who coordinates a giving program with area law enforcement. “It’s a change right now. We’ve worked with people who were really down on their luck or on welfare, to (now) helping families where mom and dad are both working. It’s not enough.”

The poverty rate in Washtenaw County climbed in 2008 from 12.7 percent in 2007 to 14.6 percent in 2008. The percentage of people on food stamps also grew in the county, while the poverty rate for children almost doubled from 2007 to 2008, according to an AnnArbor.com report.

The Salvation Army helped 500 Washtenaw County families in 2008 and this year has fielded requests from 650.

About one third of those families have never requested assistance before, said Maj. Dianna Williams, Ann Arbor corps officer, and new families call daily.

“The need is greater, “ she said. “It’s as simple as that.”

The extra number of families will strain resources, and the agency has been trying to boost donations for the food program, the toy giveaway and the adopt-a-family effort - which will cover about 100 of the families - before the gifts are distributed on Dec. 16.

“We don’t have any more outlets to get these gifts than what we’re doing,” Williams said. “No one has come up to add to the program … businesses out there are hurting, too. They can’t provide what they did before.”

Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti matched 125 families with donors in 2008, and this year has 75 adopted. About 40 more are waiting for donors to step up and more have been turned away.

“There is definitely a greater need this year,” said Cathy Robinson, executive director, in an e-mail. People also are scaling back their giving, she added.
More families are seeking to get on the list for aid, but Jean Horak, associate director, said the agency won’t accept more until it’s clear whether it can meet the established need.

Demand is up “across the board,” Horak said at the clinic, which also provides medical and dental care.

“Our greatest need for the Christmas season is (for) … people or organizations to adopt families,” Robinson said.

Hoak-Williams is fulfilling some of the need with her group, which has been active for 14 years and next year will become a non-profit foundation.

She helped 60 families last year with the Ann Arbor Police Department, and this year the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, the Saline High School Athletic Department and Saline Police Department will join the effort, helping more than 70 families, up 10 from this year.

She said she saw the need grow in 2008, “but also got more help than ever.”

At SOS Community Services in Ypsilanti, the agency saw a 22 percent increase in requests for services in the first three quarters of the year.

“We will help anyone who comes in the doors, one way or another,” said Gary Bell, executive director.

A recent turkey giveaway saw recipients show up to stand in line four hours early, with up to 100 of them being turned away after 250 turkeys were distributed.

“A lot of the people coming in are people who were donors before,” Bell said. “… They’ve never been in this position before.”
The group’s adopt-a-family program only serves people in its housing programs. So far, about half of the 65 targeted families will be helped with suggested gift packages of up to $100 per person.

“Each year we find a way to work it out,” Bell said.

Catholic Social Services depends on some local faith-based groups for holiday-timed aid efforts, said director Larry Vought. The agency also has seen an increase in people who need help meeting basic needs.

“You just pray and hope that people of heart are going to come though. And it happens,” he said.

HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE
• SOS Community Services: Donors can adopt a family or an apartment, outfitting it for shelter clients. Contact: (734) 484-9900.
• Hope Clinic: Has a waitlist for families that are waiting to be “adopted.” Contact (734) 485-5594.
• Salvation Army of Washtenaw County: Donors can adopt a family or buy a specific gift for a child through the “Angel Tree” program at Briarwood Mall. Donations to the WAAM-AM toy drive support the program as do cash donations to the kettle drive. Special needs are gifts for ages 12 and older. Volunteers also are needed as bell ringers. Call (734) 668-8353.
• Need assistance? Agency directors suggest calling the United Way referral line by dialing 211 or (866) 953-HELP.