Madison County Food Bank director Bobbie Rooker has a special Christmas wish list this year.
“I’d love to be able to put personal hygiene items in each bag we give out,” she said. “After all, it’s hard to look for a job when you can’t wash your hair or clothing.”
She says clients are often thrilled to find a bottle of shampoo, a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap and other items in their bag, items that most people take for granted.
Even hotel and trial samples of products are good to use.
The Madison County Christmas Program for kids is in full swing this year, with bags of toys given out to families who signed up for assistance on Dec. 19.
“Donations have been wonderful,” Rooker said. “I just want to thank everyone so much.” She added that the Madison County Emergency Services raised $3,100 during their annual toy drive this year. There have also been a lot of folks who’ve donated money to sponsor a family.
“You can sponsor a family for as little as $75,” Rooker said. “We still have plenty of families that need sponsoring.” Gift certificates to local food stores are also appreciated.
The food bank served 91 families (167 individuals) in November, up 40 families over Nov. 2010, and the numbers will undoubtedly be up again this month.
She wants to remind folks, in their generosity, not to forget the food bank come January. “It takes a lot to provide three nutritious meals for a family, and that need will continue next month,” she said.
She believes that national unemployment figures, which show that unemployment has dropped, are misleading. “Things are still going downhill,” she said, adding that she believes the numbers are down because so many have just stopped looking for a job.
“Things are just not getting better around here,” Rooker said.
In fact, three people who were homeless came in just last week.
“One man came in here, well-dressed, you wouldn’t have guessed he needed help,” Rooker said. But as she talked with the man, she discovered that while he still had a job, his hours were cut and his income had not been enough to keep him from falling behind on his mortgage, ant that had left him without a place to live.
“He was so ashamed, he was living in his car,” she said.
Unfortunately, Rooker had little to offer him.
“There’s just so much assistance we can give these days,” she said, adding that funding for ACTION, a program housed in the same office that provides assistance to the needy, has also seen its funding slashed.
There is no homeless shelter in Madison County, so Rooker refers them to one in Clarke County, which is always more than full. “I tell folks to make sure to get in line by 4 p.m. just to see if they can get in,” she said.
The need for a county homeless shelter is not new. “We’ve needed one for years,” she said, adding that if people have no family, or they have exhausted their resources there, they have no place to go.
“It’s just a fact that when people come here they’ve usually exhausted all their resources,” Rooker added.
How you can help
The Madison County Food Bank accepts donations of food and other staples Tuesday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. but director Bobbie Rooker urges those wishing to donate to call the office at 706-795-5465 before they come to make sure someone is there.
Both non-perishable and perishable food can be donated to the agency, including processed deer meat.
The only foodstuffs that can’t be accepted are home-processed vegetables and meats, Rooker said.
Monetary donations for the food bank, the Christmas program, or emergency assistance can also be mailed to: The Madison County Food Bank, P.O. Box 147, Danielsville, GA 30633. If you are donating to a particular program, please note that (example: Christmas) on your check.
