BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
As the season of giving begins, Tristate social service agencies hope the outpouring of support for victims of Hurricane Mitch won't dampen local givers' enthusiasm.
In recent weeks, hurricane-related relief efforts have dominated news accounts after the storm struck Central America, killing more than 6,000 and leaving 1.4 million homeless.
"Although you want to help other people out, you don't want it to take away from the local community," said Kevin Berger, public relations director for the Greater Cincinnati Salvation Army. Like many charitable groups, the Salvation Army operates year-round, but receives most of its donations during the holiday season.
"You want to try to keep the hope of Christmas in the eyes of a child whose parents unfortunately can't provide for (him or her) during the holidays," Mr. Berger said.
While pleased with the generosity that Tristate residents have shown hurricane victims, a worker with the FreeStore - FoodBank is hopeful that hurricane relief efforts will not replace holiday giving.
"My hope is that the giving will be in addition to, rather than a replacement for, the traditional generosity for the FreeStore," said Sarah Shell, director of development for the FreeStore - FoodBank.
At the Drop-Inn Center in Over-the-Rhine, volunteer coordinator Susan Knight said that her agency's biggest needs are deodorant and frozen meats - items that were not in demand after the hurricane in Honduras.
"We have a strong support base, and we have no reason to believe that they would not support us this year," Ms. Knight said.
Support will need to be strong to keep up with the demand, representatives of Tristate social service agencies said.
The FreeStore feeds more than 1,000 people a month, up from just under 500 people a month last year, Ms. Shell said. That doesn't include the 22,000 people who will receive food for Thanksgiving, and a similar number of recipients at Christmas.
"Although a lot of people have gotten off welfare and are working, they're working very entry level, low-paying jobs that don't lift them out of poverty," Ms. Shell said. "They're also not getting free health care or child care, like they did when they were on welfare."
Without the extra help provided by the FreeStore, some families might have to choose "between buying medicine for a child, or putting food on the table," Ms. Shell said.
Here is a sampling of Tristate non-profit agencies and their holiday needs.
Be Concerned Inc., 714 Washington St., Covington.
Call 291-6789 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays.
The agency needs 200 adult and high school senior volunteers to help with the group's annual Christmas store Dec. 13-17.
Volunteers are needed to sort, stock and distribute food, clothing, and toys. All shifts are available, but volunteers must attend an orientation at 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. Dec. 8.
Brighton Center in Newport.
Northern Kentucky's largest social service agency provides about 600 families with food baskets during the holidays. Donations of food, new toys and new gifts are needed. Call Beth Niewahner at 431-5649, or drop off donations from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the West End office, 741 Central Ave.
Drop-Inn Center, 217 W. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine.
Information: 721-0643.
Needs include fresh fruits and meats, deodorant, towels, blankets and heavy coats for men and women.
Fairhaven Rescue Mission, 260 Pike St., Covington.
Information: 491-1027.
Needed are turkeys, small hams, men's socks, underwear, personal hygiene products in small containers, and sweat suits for women and children, especially XL and XXL sizes.
FreeStore - FoodBank, 112 E. Liberty St., Over-the-Rhine.
Information: 241-1064.
Turkeys, canned hams, and soups, especially chicken noodle, are needed. Cash is also welcome, as the agency can provide $9 worth of food and services for every $1 in donations.
V Salvation Army, with locations downtown, Price Hill, Finneytown, Newport, Covington, and Batavia.
Information: 762-8605.
Needed are new toys for children, coats, and cash to help operate community centers, and assist families with rent, utilities, food or counseling. The Salvation Army's Greater Cincinnati kettle goal is $400,000 this year, but volunteers are still needed to work the kettles.
Welcome House, 205 Pike St., Covington.
Information: 431-8717.
Needed are hats and gloves for women and children, blankets, full and queen-size sheets, food and personal care items, socks and underwear for men, women and children, and volunteers to prepare daily meals for 35 women and children in December.
