By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
There is good news coming out of local charitable organization Love Inc. this holiday season.
After seeing all-time highs in the past few years for its Thanksgiving and “Adopt a Family” holiday programs, numbers are down this year.
“The economy is a little bit better this year,” said Leslie Caringello, who runs the food pantry plus both holiday programs at Love Inc.
Love Inc. Executive Director Bill Schoessling called the drop in numbers a “good sign,” but said there are still many struggling to earn enough money to put food – and holiday gifts – on the table.
“We do see people back to work, but they still aren’t making enough to pull them out of the poverty skid,” Schoessling said.
The Adopt A Family program saw roughly 500 participants last year. Those who qualify – which are the same people who qualify to use the food pantry – receive gifts and items they need this season.
Schoessling stressed Tuesday that the program is need-based, and people coming in have to have proof of income, residency and the number of people in their family.
Love Inc. follows the state and federal poverty guidelines, which for a family of four means less than $3,600 a month gross income. For a single person, they must make less than $1,771 before taxes.
“You can’t just walk in the door,” Schoessling said. “You have to qualify.”
It’s frustrating for Schoessling, who said that he hears complaints every year.
“That we’re giving away to anyone who walks in the door,” he said.
Even for those who do qualify for the food pantry, they can only get enough food to last them about five days.
There is good news on the food pantry front, though. As always this time of year, the pantry is well-stocked, thanks to generous donations.
And, after opening up the food pantry to more than 300 families affected by the Echo Lake Foods fire in January on a week-to-week (versus once a month) basis, the agency is down to helping just 16 families.
“Some of them will probably need help for quite a while,” Schoessling said. “But starting out with 300 families? It’s down dramatically.”
Schoessling said the Burlington community continues to reach out not only with donations, but with volunteers and the adoption of families this holiday season.
“I think the community’s reaching out in all different directions,” Schoessling said.
“No one is going to get turned away.”
For those families who do not have someone “adopt” them this holiday season but who qualify financially, Caringello said this is the second year that the adjacent warehouse is set up for parents to come fill gift requests for their families.
That is funded by the money raised during the Toy Run during the summer by the Tri-County Riders.
“I think mom and dad like having a little control over it,” said Caringello.
For people who are interested in volunteering, donating food or money, or adopting a family, please contact Love Inc. at (262) 763-6226.
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