By Ramsey Bowman and Michaele Stafford

It’s 8:50 on Monday morning, slightly before the Inter-faith Councils’ Crisis Intervention Program on West Main Street in Carrboro begins interviewing clients, and already a line of men and womean extends out the door. They come seeking assistance, with needs ranging from food, clothing and rent to utility assistance and transportation.

A volunteer comes to the office of Pamela Futrell, the program coordinator for the Council’s Crisis Intervention Program, bringing news of the wave of people waiting to be seen.

“It’s a cold day outside, and the cold will bring more people in,” Futrell responds without surprise.

Upstairs, Executive Director Chris Moran is busy as well. He extends greetings, receives updates from staff members, and outlines an array of stories that highlight both the generosity and the diversity of the Carrboro community.

From the 7-year-old who asked her mother to have her party guests bring a turkey to donate to the council to 12-year-old Kiernan Presler-Marshall, who donated $250 in food purchases from gift card donations he solicited through his website http://gc4good.googlepages.com, Moran is grateful for the support of volunteers who give of their time and resources.

The Inter-faith Council, formed in 1963, offers social services such as crisis intervention, financial support and a food pantry. The agency also runs Community House which offers emergency shelter for men, as well as HomeStart which houses homeless women and children. Community Kitchen serves three hot meals each day, 365 days a year, free of charge to Community House residents and other community members.

More than 1,000 volunteers help staff the office, work in the kitchen and stock shelves in the food pantry throughout the year.

With the holiday season looming, the council is gearing up for its annual food sharing program. For a donation of $20, one can purchase a meal for a family to share during their holiday celebrations.

Donations of turkeys and hams also are appreciated to help decrease the cost of the food baskets, Moran said.

He added that the program is a wonderful opportunity for co-workers in businesses that give turkeys and hams as gifts to employees to donate toward a needy family’s meal.

“Last year, 755 households were provided with holiday meals of turkey, gravy, stuffing, yams, and green beans, and we are expecting the same amount again this year,” Futrell said.

The number of families equates to 3,122 of “our neighbors” who benefited from the meals, Moran said.

“A few days before the food is to be distributed, ten to fifteen volunteers will come to pack the meals,” Futrell said. “We can always use SUVs and pickup trucks to load up the turkeys. Donations of time and money are always welcome, ever after the Holiday Meal Program is over, because more than likely we are still trying to cover the cost of the food.”

Those in need may sign up for the Christmas season meal between Dec. 4 and Dec. 6 at the Council office, 110 W. Main St.

According to Futrell, the Council consistently sees a rise in requests for services during the winter months.

“As the cold sets in, heating bills rise and people have less money to spend on food,” she said.

According to the Inter-faith Council website, volunteers “helped 4,166 households with housing, utility assistance, support and advocacy last year.”

One place where the volunteers’ efforts are especially noticible is the food pantry which consists of five 20-foot-long aisles with canned vegetables, meats, soups, pasta, cereal, bread and personal care items.

Ruth Monk and Carol Smith, who both volunteer at the Council on a daily basis, are modest about their own work, but eager to brag about one another’s devotion to the Council.

“Ruth has volunteered here everyday for the past six years,” said Smith.

Ruth Monk, who has volunteered at the Inter-faith Council every day for the past six and a half years, pauses to smile for the camera as she stocks the shelves of the Food Pantry. Photo by Ramsey Bowman

And Susie Hafer, who volunteers at the food pantry every Monday morning, warmly tells of Smith’s devotion to the Council, “Carol is here twice a day, everyday,” she said.

But, as Futrell emphasized, regardless of the branch of the Inter-faith Council or time of year, it can always use volunteers and monetary donations. To help out with the Holiday Meal Program, donation forms can be accessed at www.thecouncilweb.org. Information on volunteer work, contact information and a volunteer application can be found on the website as well.