The deadline to sign up for SERVE Inc.'s Adopt-A-Family program is fast approaching, and Volunteer Coordinator Peg Dzicek is concerned by the low signup rate.
"Usually by this time, we're up in the high 200s or 300s," Dzicek said. "At this point, we have about 90. We are a couple hundred families behind at this point."
Adopt-A-Family is designed to help low-income families in Callaway County get through the holidays by providing them with food or gifts.
""It's not our intention to fulfill every need of every family," Dzicek said. "It's just not possible for us to do that, number one, and number two, it's not what we're designed to do. But it is our intention to ease the burden at Christmas. For some kids, this'll be all they get."
Families at or below 125 percent of the poverty line can sign up for Adopt-A-Family.
There's also an opportunity for senior citizens and disabled adults to benefit.
"Disabled adults and seniors over 60 qualify for a stocking this year or a food basket if they've signed up for the food basket," said Tina Hines, office manager at SERVE.
There are multiple ways to sign up for the program.
"They can come and do it in person Wednesday and Friday from 9-noon," Dzicek said. "Or they can do it online anytime at our website, www.serveinc.net. The only thing is that if they do it online, we still need copies of their qualifying documents."
Hines encourages people to pre-register online before coming in to have qualifying documents copied.
"They can go to the library, they can go to the senior center - anywhere they can get on the internet - and pre-sign up, and it'll make it go much faster," Hines said.
SERVE also needs community support to make sure people who sign up have their needs met. Those interested in doing so should call or visit SERVE.
"What most people are doing is making a donation and saying 'Here's my money, use it however you need to,'" Dzicek explained.
These donations are divvied up and used to pay for food baskets, presents, necessities and the Christmas stockings.
"You can also adopt a child: 'I want to (sponsor) a girl who's aged 3 to 7,'" Dzicek said.
She added helping out doesn't need to break one's own bank account.
"Six, 10, 12 dollars can help," she said.
SERVE Inc. is located at 4901 County Rd 304. Call 573-642-6388 for more information.
Qualifying for Adopt-A-Family
Qualifying families can sign up by filling out the application at bit.ly/2eoyEVE or visiting SERVE at 4901 County Rd 304. When visiting in person, or after submitting the application, gather the following and bring them to the SERVE office:
A photo ID for all adults in the household
Social Security card for each household member
Birth certificate OR proof of custody, guardianship, or parenting plan OR third party verification form for each child
Proof of income and resources such as benefit letters, bank statement, check stubs, etc.
Proof of address such as current utility bill or official mail
Proof of food stamp/SNAP amount with case list
SERVE's hours are 9 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday and Friday. The sign-up deadline is noon Friday. Call 573-642-6388 for more details.