Brandon Twp.- Hippity-hoppity, Easter’s on its way.
Judy Henley is hoping to fill baskets? not only with candy and colored eggs, but with hams and the fixings for Easter dinner. To do so, the OCEF food pantry coordinator needs the help of the community.
‘We find at Easter it’s harder to get donations than at Thanksgiving and Christmas,? Henley said. ‘Traditionally, all agencies get more in the winter. Easter is the high-point of the year as Christians, and we should celebrate by sharing with our neighbors and those who need help.?
The Ortonville Community Emergency Fund is currently assisting about 80 families in need, roughly 240 individuals, an increase from the same time last year. These families visit the food pantry monthly. Henley recently sent postcards out to everyone who has used OCEF in the past two years to see if they need help for Easter. She expects those numbers to be up also and is hoping the community will step in to fill the needs.
OCEF is seeking donations of canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned pasta, cereal, cake mixes, frosting, Jell-O, Easter candy, egg dye, $15 gift cards to Bueche’s (to facilitate the purchase of hams), and personal care items, as well as laundry detergent.
Easter comes earlier this year? March 23, so the donations are also needed sooner. Easter distribution for families is March 17 and Henley is also seeking volunteers for that day, as well as March 16, when the food will be sorted.
‘Economically, it doesn’t sound good for Michigan,? Henley said. ‘Hopefully, it will get better, but in the meantime, hopefully those of us that do have something can share with those who are struggling.?