Ortonville- Michelle, a part-time working mother, knows the meaning of tough times.
The village resident fought a battle with cancer six years ago, lost a job two years later, and is now separated and raising her two middle-school-aged sons on an income of $1,000 per month. She pays $600 a month in rent and worries about keeping her heat and electricity on.
‘It’s hard to explain to the kids why you don’t have money for things,? says Michelle.
But with the help of the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund, Michelle has been able to get prescriptions, pay utility bills, fill her vehicle’s gas tank and put food on the table.
‘You go day by day and you don’t know how you’ll get through sometimes, but at least when you have the pantry, you know you have food to look forward to,? she says. ‘A few times, I’d have been in a lot of trouble.?
OCEF helps families in need throughout the year, and more than 100 families have signed up for help this holiday season, says Food Pantry Coordinator Judy Henley.
Becky’s family is among those.
The Brandon Township’s husband was laid-off in September 2004. After seven weeks without a paycheck, desperate without car insurance or new plate tabs for her vehicle, neighbors told Becky about OCEF.
‘I never knew there was help out there,? said the mother of five children, who range in age from 4 to 19. ‘It really helps, especially when you have a big family, but it’s not just for big families… I don’t go there all the time, but if I can’t pay Edison and am in a rut, they help with groceries or paying the shut-off notice.?
Becky has received Thanksgiving food baskets for her family and gifts for her children at Christmas, too.
‘If it hadn’t been for OCEF, the kids would have gone without,? she says.
Michelle is thankful for the help she has received at Christmas, as another family sponsors hers.
‘Literally, there would be nothing under the tree without OCEF,? she says. ‘I appreciate everyone who has helped us at Christmas and other times… I’m hoping there will be a day someday when I can give it back in return. I would definitely support OCEF 100 percent.?
The OCEF food pantry is accepting donations of items for families to create holiday meals, such as stuffing mix, muffin mix, canned fruits, canned vegetables, pie crusts and mixes. Donated gift cards in $10 and $15 increments are needed to allow families to purchase turkeys. OCEF also tries to include some extras like cereal or pancake mix, canned pasta or peanut butter and jelly for children’s lunches when they are home on break.
The pantry is currently very low on personal care items such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, paper towels, and feminine hygiene products.
Donations can be brought to St. Anne Church, 825 S. Ortonville Road, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. During mass on weekends, donations can be brought to the gathering area in the church.
For more information on donating, to adopt a family for the holidays, to volunteer or if in need of help for the holidays, contact Judy Henley at (248) 627-3965.