Center sees rising need for distributing food

Most of the items required for Thanksgiving baskets are donated by churches.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Workers at a community center here say there is an increased demand for monthly food distributions and Thanksgiving food baskets, but with blessings from God and the help of a fledgling volunteer group, the demand will be met.
Sister Jean Orsuto and a large group of volunteers at the Emmanuel Community Care Center on U.S. Route 422 are clearing shelves and making room for food that will be distributed to families in need before Thanksgiving. The center also distributes food on a monthly basis, and Orsuto says demand for the monthly distribution and holiday baskets is growing.
Orsuto said area churches donate most of the items needed for the Thanksgiving baskets, but private donations pick up the rest. St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Rose Parish donated 125 turkeys for the Thanksgiving distribution, but more than 200 are needed.
Who is helped
The center provides service to Girard, Liberty, McDonald, Mineral Ridge and Weathersfield. Participants must live in those communities, register at the center and demonstrate financial need.
Orsuto said the monthly food distribution program has increased by 25 percent over previous years. The Thanksgiving food program distributed food to 139 families in 2003, slightly more than 200 last year and is expected to grow considerably this year.
"There are people coming here who have never had to ask for help before and some say they really don't want to ask for food," Orsuto said. "This is the largest number of people we have ever had to service, and I was wondering if we would have enough, but God always makes a way."
City resident Linda Hudson wants to be part of the help Orsuto speaks of.
Feels the calling
Hudson moved to the area five years ago from Michigan, was diagnosed with cancer in 2002 and given only weeks to live. Her cancer went into remission and she now feels called to do work helping those in need.
"I believe if God's not ready for you, then he won't take you, and if he doesn't take you, he has a purpose for you. This is my purpose," she said.
Several weeks ago, Hudson established the volunteer group Girard Angels to assist in raising funds and collecting food items for the Thanksgiving food baskets. She said the group is just getting under way, but she hopes to continue with various charitable efforts throughout the year.
jgoodwin@vindy.com