Brandon Twp.-In November, the month in which Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, Karyn Milligan shares letters from grateful area residents assisted by the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund.
‘Thank you for the help with the security deposit on my new place. I would have been lost without you. Thanks again,? reads one.
‘Thank you to all your staff and the community so much for your willingness to help me prevent homelessness. May God bless you and everyone involved and I will remember all of you in my prayers,? says another.
The OCEF food pantry director’s voice cracks as she reads the letters. She knows OCEF could not have helped these families without the assistance of a generous community, and as Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approach, she hopes the community will once again extend helping hands to families in need in the Brandon School District and will continue to help beyond the holidays.
‘This community has never, ever let us down, ever, on anything,? said Milligan. ‘The most generous, caring people live in this community and I see it everyday in every way. I wish they could see what I see everyday. There is something so very, very special about this community.?
OCEF, a non-profit organization, provides food monthly for more than 100 low-income families in the Brandon School District and requests for assistance rise at the holidays. Last year, OCEF assisted more than 200 families with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, as well as meals for children during school breaks.
OCEF is seeking donations of various items includ-ing cake mix; cereal; canned fruit; peanut butter; macaroni and cheese; canned soup; canned vegetables includingcorn and green beans; canned gravy/broth; pie crust; stuffing mix; frosting; cranberry sauce; Jell-O/pudding; jelly; muffin/quick bread mix; canned tuna; evaporated milk; pasta; canned pumpkin; potatoes; toilet paper; and paper towels.
Donations of Bueche’s gift cards in the amount of $15 are also needed, as they are given to each family for the purchase of meat. Cash donations are also welcome.
All donations for Thanksgiving must be received by noon, Nov. 22 as volunteers will begin packing food bags on the morning of Nov. 23 for distribution that afternoon. The deadline for Christmas food donations is noon, Dec. 13. Packing and distribution is Dec. 14. Food may be dropped off at St. Anne Church, 825 S. Ortonville Road, at Bueche’s Food World, 400 N. Ortonville Road (in the OCEF box in the vestibule), or at various local churches and businesses with designated OCEF boxes.
While food sorts and distribution takes place from St. Anne Church, Milligan stresses that OCEF is ecumenical, with many community churches participating, as well as schools and non-religious donors as well.
OCEF seeks new members to be involved with the day-to-day operation of the food pantry and the OCEF Board meets at 6 p.m., the first Wednesday of each month (with the exception of December) at St. Anne Church.
OCEF needs volunteers at the holidays, and year-round.
‘This is the perfect time to get involved with OCEF,? said Milligan. ‘The holidays take so many extra hands to get distributions done and we hope you will become an active member each month. We want fresh new ideas on ways to do things.?
For more information, contact Karyn Milligan at 248-627-3965, ext. 103.