Neighbors in Need, the program that matches groups or individuals with county families needing holiday food and toys, says a decrease in the number seeking help shows that times may not be as tough as they have been in recent years.
The agency served 1,045 families in the past week, compared with 1,262 during the same period last year, said Sylvia V. Canon, executive director of Human Services Programs, the private, nonprofit agency that coordinates the Neighbors in Need program.
"The politicians say the economy is better, and apparently it is, because we just don't have as many requests this year," Mrs. Canon said.
Through its annual Christmas shop, Neighbors in Need provided toys and food for 350 families. The other 695 families were adopted by churches, schools, businesses and community groups.
Families were given vouchers to select items from the Christmas shop, depending on their needs.
"They know best whether their child already has an Etch-A-Sketch or if little Susie likes pink or purple," Mrs. Canon said.
The shop served about 20 people an hour much of this week.
Mrs. Canon said people were particularly grateful to receive items they can't purchase with food stamps, such as toilet paper, laundry detergent and other cleaning supplies.
"Our next most popular request was underwear and socks," she said.
In addition to the items chosen by the families, Neighbors in Need provided a book for each child, a puzzle for the family, school supplies, underwear and socks, hats and gloves, a personal care kit and fresh fruit.
For the first time, Neighbors in Need gave families food vouchers that can be redeemed at Weis Market in Westminster instead of food baskets. Mrs. Canon said the agency distributed $10,000 worth of vouchers.
"Logistically, the scope got beyond us," Mrs. Canon said. "To pack 350 boxes of food takes a lot of space."
With just two days before Christmas, Neighbors in Need workers are still busy, taking care of last-minute requests for help.
"We're just dealing with the odds and ends now," Mrs. Canon said. "The people who have fallen through the cracks.
The agency plans to handle most last-minute requests with food vouchers and Santa Claus Anonymous certificates that can be used at area K mart stores or the Westminster Woolworth's through tomorrow.
Mrs. Canon plans to stay in her office until 4 p.m. today to help as many people as she can.
"We do our level best," she said. "I'd hate to think of some little 3-year-old looking up the chimney for Santa Claus."
Mrs. Canon can be reached at 857-2999.
At Carroll Food Sunday, which provides food to more than 300 families each week, the last days before Christmas are no different from any other time of year.
Elaine Martin, Carroll Food Sunday's secretary/treasurer, said she hasn't noticed an increase in demand for food baskets this week.
The organization's food bank in Taneytown will be open from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. today at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 44 Frederick St.
Carroll Food Sunday will take emergency calls at 635-6029.