By Clyde Noel

The Community Services Agency started planning for the coming holidays in August with focus groups, as well as staff and client input. Workers wanted to improve on their help to the needy, but the coming months are beginning to make their efforts look futile.

CSA examined the quarter that just closed and found the client base in the emergency assistance program had increased more than 33 percent over last year.

“A lot of people have been laid off; and for others, their unemployment benefits have run out,” said Tom Myers, CSA executive director. “In a lot of cases they have money for rent but not enough for food.”

Maureen Wadiak, CSA associate director, said CSA has always had a good relationship with the local schools, churches and El Camino Hospital. These agencies refer people in need to CSA. Requests are increasing.

For instance, a high-tech worker with children was laid off. He’d never used any emergency services before, but he was referred through a recreation program.

Another referral was a single mother who needed assistance because her hours had been cut. She was desperate and survived with help from CSA’s Nutrition Center.

“We’re still in a healthy position because of prior planning, but our donations are decreasing because of the poor economy,” Myers said. “Government subsidies have decreased more than 10 percent, and United Way funding has decreased more than 43 percent. We are relying on individual donors now more than ever.”

CSA is seeking donations, but there are other ways an individual can help.

“In the past, clients would give us a wish list and volunteers would put out a bag for them. Volunteers were frustrated because the toys picked were not appropriate agewise,” Wadiak said. “We changed that. This year children can pick out their own gifts. It has to do with the dignity of the client and getting what they like.”

“The way we operate the toy store is good for the kids,” Myers said. “It’s not a gift coming from another organization, it’s a gift coming from mom and dad or Santa.”

For the toy store, CSA needs gifts from donors. Gift certificates work best for teens, while pajamas are needed for toddlers, and toys are needed for all ages.

“We also provide gifts for homebound and frail seniors,” Myers said. “For seniors, a nice acrylic or fleece blanket or a large-print 2003 calendar would be acceptable.”

Canned food is always welcome. This year, the need for food drives for Thanksgiving and Christmas is more pronounced.

“Scrip for turkeys works fine; stuffing mix, sugar, cooking oil, anything in a can works fine for the food drives,” Myers said.

The CSA staff offered an insight on donations. “Your mailbox is packed with requests from all over the United States for donations, but when you help CSA you are helping your local neighbors in need. An investment in CSA is an investment in your local community,” Myers said.

The Community Services Agency is located at 204 Stierlin Road, Mountain View, CA 94043. For more information, call 968-0836.