Volunteers make room to help those in need

BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

JEFF GRANIT staff Old Bridge resident Diane Hutchins, director of the Crisis Room in East Brunswick, tends to clothing donated for the needy. Healthy economy or not, volunteers at the all-purpose welfare organization known as the Crisis Room are dealing with more demand than ever.

A ministry of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Ryders Lane in East Brunswick, the Crisis Room serves area people in need of food, clothing and financial assistance. The group, run entirely by volunteers, is part of a long tradition of social mission work at the church.

“When you see the difference you can make in someone’s present situation by being able to offer them something concrete and encourage them, that is what our ministry is all about,” said Diane Hutchins, an Old Bridge resident who volunteers as director of the Crisis Room.

And she has been seeing plenty of people in need of help — the program saw about three times as many people in the first nine months of 2004 as it did during the same period the previous year.

“We’ve seen a greater need. We’re seeing more working poor. We’re not the only agency that sees that. Type in ‘hunger’ on the Internet and you’ll find that other agencies are seeing an increase in the working poor,” Hutchins said.

The greater demand can be attributed to underemployment, seasonal employment, higher gas prices and overall increases in the cost of living. Higher rents and utilities have helped to swell the ranks of the needy.

The Crisis Room focuses its limited resources on supplying food.

“We feel we can serve a broader range that way,” Hutchins said.

During the first nine months of 2004, the group provided food — much of it coming from food banks or other charity organizations — to more than 800 families. On an average week, it provides food to about 30 families.

Clothing is distributed, usually to about eight to 10 families per week, on Monday mornings.

Recipients are asked no questions when they request clothing, but they do have to fill out a short form so that clients can be made aware of other agencies that can also help them. Many of the clients are not aware of the many types of assistance and services, such as food stamps, for which they are eligible.

Financial assistance is only given to clients who are recommended to the Crisis Room.

“We are all volunteers and don’t have the resources to screen clients, and you can get a lot of stories,” Hutchins said.

Financial assistance can be used for anything from rent and furniture to medical services and prescriptions.

“Just about anything the family would need, though it’s limited to $100 per family,” she said.

The financial component receives assistance from Trinity Presbyterian Church, Cranbury Road.

Hutchins took over as Crisis Room director when Fran Mickett, who founded the program more than 30 years ago, retired.

“She did everything and was a mentor for me for a year or two,” Hutchins said.

Hutchins, an accountant by day, joked that she took the director’s job “because no one else would take it.” Mickett had played a role in all components of the Crisis Room on a daily basis, so her retirement meant the volunteers had to reorganize and figure out roles based on their interests and abilities. While Hutchins’ role is administrative, others are involved in hands-on work anywhere from two to 10 hours a week.

The program currently has about 10 or 12 volunteers — among them Ada Wilson and Doris Stevens, who deal with clothing distribution; Bill Pope and Paul Roder, who handle food distribution; and Sally Kitzi, infrastructure development — but is seeking more help. Those wishing to volunteer do not have to be affiliated with the church, and can call the church at (732) 254-7361 or the Crisis Room hotline at (732) 257-9920.

Individuals, businesses or other organizations seeking to donate to the program can send checks to the Crisis Room, care of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 568 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick 08816. People wishing to donate clothing or small household goods can drop off items in the bin on the church grounds at any time.

Hutchins said working with the Crisis Room has taught her not to complain very much.

“You see people with three kids living on disability, not getting much in food stamps, having health issues, and they don’t know where they should turn,” she said.

“You thank God for your fortune, and it makes you more sensitive to other people.”