United Way Agency officials say it’s not too late to donate to nonprofits, nor is it too late to ask for help.
“We need to let people know it may seem too late, but we can help pick up the pieces,” said John Hayes, director of Building Stable Lives/2-1-1 for the United Way of Greater Chattanooga.
“Where the need for utility and food is concerned, it’s never too late to ask for help,” Hayes said.
It’s best to call as soon as a family knows that it’s going to have a problem because it gives resource managers opportunity to put resources together, he said. One church may not give the full utility amount, for instance, but one might donate $50 and another may give $100 to get it paid, he said.
The United Way distributed $50,000 to pay utility costs this year, about the same as last year, Hayes said.
At least 70 percent of calls to the 211 center this year were for help with utility service, said Kelly Nave, United Way’s director of public relations.
Overall, calls to 211 are up 30 percent over last year, officials said.
The registration deadline for agencies that supply Christmas gifts was Friday, but people in need still should call 211 because there are some emergency agencies that supply last-minute gifts.
“Anybody who finds themselves in need needs to call 211 as soon as possible because we dig deeper and sometimes we can find resources or have access to resources that other people might not be able to find,” Nave said.
The following is a list of agencies still seeking volunteers or offering supplies or services during the holiday season.
Chattanooga Community Kitchen
The Chattanooga Community Kitchen on East 11th Street will serve Christmas dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until food runs out. Santa Claus will be there and everyone gets a gift. For more information call 756-4222.
Hope for the Inner City
Hope for the Inner City operates a store that allows low-income parents to buy Christmas gifts at low cost. The store will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 13-18. Parents seeking to purchase gifts for their children may fill out an application in advance by calling 698-3178. Volunteers are needed to work at the store and help take down the Christmas Store on Dec. 18. Volunteers may also sign up by calling 698-3178.
Mary’s Lounge
Mary’s Lounge works with Donut and Friends, T-Mobile and the Southside Reunion Committee to supply turkeys, groceries, toys, bicycles and Christmas dinner to those in need. Families have already been selected for assistance, but families in emergency situations are still encouraged to contact Donut at WJTT/Power 94 radio station. The lounge will also give hot Christmas dinners to families on Christmas from 10 a.m. until the food runs out. To donate to the lounge, drop off toys, canned goods or gift cards to Mary’s Lounge at 2115 McCallie Ave. between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Dec. 18.
Salvation Army
Today is the last day to return Salvation Army Angel tree gifts to area malls. More than 3,380 seniors and children who would not otherwise have Christmas gifts are helped through the service. Volunteers are still needed to help sort through the Angel Tree gifts and to ring bells. Go to www.ringbells.org to see other volunteer opportunities with the Salvation Army.
United Way 2-1-1
Call United Way for all emergency needs including food, shelter and emergency Christmas gifts. Dial 211.