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Needy families not assured holiday toys, food

Nannie, left, talks with her case worker from St. Raphael, Sarah Day, who is trying to help her become more self-sufficient. Nannie, a single mother of six, is one of the families that signed up for the holiday adopt a family program.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch Nannie, left, talks with her case worker from St. Raphael, Sarah Day, who is trying to help her become more self-sufficient. Nannie, a single mother of six, is one of the families that signed up for the holiday adopt a family program.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Graphic: Number of needy families in Butler County increasing PDF

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By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer Updated 12:46 PM Monday, November 2, 2009

HAMILTON — The Hamilton mother of six is unemployed and was homeless last month.

So the thought of providing her children Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings and toys under the tree for Christmas seemed impossible.

“I’ve struggled for many years with Christmas. My brother had bought gifts for them every year, but he’s been laid off, too,’’ said Nannie, who asked not to be identified further to protect her children. “It’s a struggle every year with six kids.’’

Nannie is now a client of Mercy Franciscan at St. Raphael and, like many others, is hoping to get a boost this Thanksgiving and Christmas from donations to the Butler County Holiday Community Project.

The holiday project is a group of nine nonprofit agencies that rely on sponsors to help provide food and toys to struggling families.

But because of the recession, a record number of families are expected to register for help at a time when many would-be sponsors are struggling. So far, the number of needy families seeking sponsors for food baskets and Christmas gifts is up 74 percent compared to the same time last year.

Tina Osso, director of Shared Harvest Foodbank in Fairfield and coordinator of the holiday project, fears the number of needy families may again outpace sponsors of the project.

“For the first time last year, we were not able to serve everybody that applied and that was just as the recession was beginning to hit hard for everybody,” Osso said.

“Now that we’ve had a year of it, we’re very concerned that we’ll be able to raise the resources for it because so many more families are going to need help.’’

Carrie Morris, director of St. Raphael, said her agency was inundated with families seeking holiday help when registration began.

“We turned away roughly three to four times as many people as we saw,’’ Morris said. “We’ve had lines every year, but this year just blew us away.’’

Holiday project officials expect to serve more than 3,000 this year, up 15 percent from last year when officials served 2,600.

How to Help:

Call: Butler County 2-1-1 or (513) 785-3095 or (513) 727-3215

Cost: $35 per family for food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas; $40 to adopt one child up to age 17 for Christmas.

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My husband ran out on me and my child a couple of months ago. I don't know what I am going to do about Christmas for her. At this time I cannot work because of an illness. She is a beautiful little girl and loves school. I am so proud of her. She never misses a day of school and is always telling me it will be ok. Is there any help I can get?

Pam
3:13 PM, 11/11/2009

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some people just need the extra help. i have a child taht has serious medical needs and have limited income due to taking care of my child. i am a hard worker and full-time student. just because someone needs help dosen't make them white trash!

elise
6:49 AM, 11/11/2009

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My heart goes out to burdened families,people in need wish i could help everyone but i cant I donate money/food/clothes/gifts/2 churches to pass out I pray that we get jobs back in hamilton so families dont have to go through this I dont wont anything in return 4 myself'. i'm way up in yrs.get a name of family from church by a fully cooked meal $40.00 take it 2 them yourself U see that it gets there God Bless eyeryone HAPPY HOLIDAYS

faith in are neighbors
12:50 PM, 11/4/2009

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Even if you think the parent is not a responsible adult, the children have no say for the situation they are facing. So, think of them... they should be able to enjoy a happy childhood, with at least food to eat. It's our responsibility as adults to look after children, bc they can't take care of themselves.

K
9:58 AM, 11/4/2009

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I'm so glad all of you have the power to judge others and have a say in how they should be living their lives and how they should be raising their children. What happened to giving because you have it in your heart? Most people these days are only concerned with what is in it for them. I can't have so I am not giving. I am giving this year, I can afford to give, we are buying toys for kids and donating food. I don't want anything in return. Merry Mom, I am glad to see you are helping!

J
7:02 PM, 11/3/2009

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