Local News
Monday, October 26, 2009
Business is booming at Bureau of ConcernBy Allison Wingate
STAFF WRITER
Business is not as usual for the Bureau of Concern, which has seen the need for its services increase drastically over the past year.
The assistance and referral agency guides those in need to help with utilities, social services, food items, clothing, toiletries and more.
“Often times people lose their job and realize that what they’re making on unemployment isn’t covering the bills and they come to us for help,” said executive director Mary Zeigler. “If we can’t help them, we’ll refer them to someone who can.”
But these referrals have become harder and harder to make lately, as many of the assistance programs the organization refers clients to are tapped out, and the remaining few are limping along due to collaboration between outside agencies.
She said the combination of a high need and minimal funds to distribute (depleted funds for residents of Seneca County) has the organization feeling pulled in several directions.
The Bureau is out of options for clients who come to the office with electricity disconnection notices and overdue bills as most agencies have distributed their utility assistance monies, and the AEP HEAP and Neighbor to Neighbor Fund plans do not begin until Nov. 1, when the winter season officially begins.
“The utility assistance program need is so high because rates are so high,” Zeigler said. “The people who came last year with $100 bills are now coming with disconnect bills up to $600 to $700 — to pay these bills, it’s now taking two or more organizations.”
Some agencies to which the Bureau refer clients are out of assistance funds such as the Tiffin Salvation Army, according to Zeigler.
While help for utilities is limited at the moment, the Bureau is striving to offer assistance to the community in other ways through outreach programs such as the senior commodity box program.
Sandra Smith, a Fostoria senior, carpools monthly along with a group of women who live in the Wesley Village community to get vouchers for the commodity boxes that contain supplemental food items.
“If one of us is sick and we can’t come up, another lady will pick up our commodity boxes for us,” said Smith. “If they don’t see us, they get concerned and will call.”
Like Smith, Dolores Manis has formed personal relationships with Bureau staff members and has a particular fondness towards them.
“They’re all so sweet — sometimes I go there and just sit there and talk with them,” Manis said. “They’re the best thing that ever happened to this town.”
“You really get to know them, who they are and what their needs are,” said Zeigler.
Another program providing assistance to Fostorians is “Coats for Cause,” a collection of new or gently-used coats that are to be awarded to income-qualified persons who are in need of outerwear for the impending winter weather. The agency is accepting donations and has noticed a growing need for coats in sizes for infants and young adults.
Those in need may apply to receive coats at the Bureau’s 301 S. Main St. office.
“The need is surely going to be bigger than last year,” Zeigler said.
A similar program for shoes sponsored by the Kiwanis and Eagles clubs brought in donations for school children in the fall.
Funds received from the United Way of Fostoria campaign go towards operating expenses and to the salary of two paid staff members at the agency. Remaining assistance to the agency is provided by grants and outside agencies.
For more information, call the Bureau of Concern at 419-435-4357 or visit during office hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.
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Ph: (419) 435-6641 • Fax: (419) 435-9073
113 E. Center St. • P.O. Box 947
Fostoria, OH 44830
The Findlay Publishing Company
P.O. Box 609
Findlay, OH 45839-0609
Phone: (419) 422-5151
www.findlaypublishing.com
Please read our privacy guidelines
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