Anson Crisis Ministry exists to help those who are down on their luck by providing food, clothing and even help with utility bills. But, over the summer, director Ann James said, "The economy has finally hit Anson Crisis Ministry."

There was such a high demand for food at the ministry's supplier, Second Harvest Food Bank in Charlotte, that there wasn't enough to keep Anson Crisis Ministry's pantry fully stocked. As a result, James said she and her volunteers had to get food from Food Lion and IGA instead, which is more expensive than the 16 cents a pound they can get at Second Harvest.

"We had been paying $2,000 a month with utility assistance," James explained, "but our board voted in June to suspend utility assistance and focus on the food bank. We've done a few [utility assistance cases], but emergency cases only. We also had to reduce the amount of food we give to our clients. We've reduced the number of volunteers that are here, too."

She said it's sad to have to tell needy people no but that it is the reality of the current state of the economy. "You just have to tell some people you can't help with their electric bills," she said. "And it's been such a hot summer, it's really tough. But we had to choose between food and utilities, and we decided food was more important."

She said she hopes that come winter, the ministry will be able to restart its utility assistance program. "We're coming up on Christmas and colder weather before long," she said. "I shudder to think what Christmas will be like if things don't improve."

Over the summer, Anson Crisis Ministry has served an average of 14 individuals per day, 224 per month. July was the busiest month, with 244 individuals.

"People can come in every month to get free government food," James explained. "This month, they can get free hamburger meat, canned pork, apple juice, cheese and dry beans. We're throwing in some rice, too. And we have an excess of toilet paper and paper towels, so we're giving those out as well."

Although most of the food and grocery items that come through Anson Crisis Ministry are provided Second Harvest or local grocery stores, there are a handful of churches who faithfully donate when needed, too. "The ones that are donating are so faithful," James said. "We know we can rely on them to come in with either food or a financial donation whenever we need them."

Still, because things have been stretched so tightly lately, Anson Crisis Ministry will also receive help in the form of a food drive during Anson County's United Way Day of Caring on Saturday, Sept. 25. Donations can be dropped off at the Grace Senior Center located on Highway 742 South, the week prior to the event.

"I'm hoping this United Way Day of Caring will help," James said. "It seems like we serve more people in the wintertime. Maybe people's hearts are bigger around Thanksgiving and Christmastime."

For more information about the United Way Day of Caring, call 704-694-4036. Anson Crisis Ministry is located at 117 N. Rutherford St. in Wadesboro and can be reached at 704-694-2445 or ansoncrisisministry@windstream.net.