Brandon Twp.- On Nov. 26, millions of Americans will gather at tables laden with food as they celebrate Thanksgiving.
For 200 local families this year, Thanksgiving feasts will be made possible by generous donations to the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund.
‘We are up from last year, when we had 170 families seeking assistance,? said OCEF Food Pantry Coordinator Judy Henley. ‘Our biggest challenge is getting enough donations for Thanksgiving and Christmas… We depend totally on the generosity of the people of Ortonville and we hope they are still able to step up and help our struggling families. We do know and understand that it is hard for all people to reach out when their own budgets have shrunk. Even one item makes a difference for someone.?
Henley said many OCEF clients are new and struggling with the need to ask for assistance. Some can’t find a job and hope that unemployment benefits will be extended as they try to hold onto their homes.
OCEF is seeking donations of cake mix, cereal, peanut butter, pie crust mix, boxed macaroni and cheese, stuffing mix, frosting, cranberry sauce, gelatin, pudding, jelly, muffin/quick bread mix, tuna, evaporated milk, pasta, toilet paper, paper towels, and canned fruit, corn, green beans, assorted vegetables, pumpkin, and gravy/broth. Bueche’s $15 gift cards for families to purchase meat are also welcome, as well as cash donations.
OCEF has tax credit approval from the state, meaning that cash donations to them are eligible for a credit on the Michigan individual income tax return equal to 50 percent of the contribution. The credit is limited to $200 for a join return or $100 for an individual return.
The OCEF Thanksgiving distribution day for clients is Nov. 23. All Thanksgiving food donations must be in by noon, Nov. 22. Food donations are collected at Bueche’s or St. Anne Catholic Church, 825 S. Ortonville Road. Cash donations can be dropped off at the parish office, checks made payable to OCEF, or mailed to OCEF, P.O. Box 282, Ortonville, MI 48462. Details: 248-627-3965. To volunteer, contact Karyn Milligan at 248-627-3543 or 248-634-4692 or e-mail karynmil@comcast.net.