This year, members of the Tallapoosa Service Council said demand was higher than ever for their philanthropic efforts to help local families in need this holiday season.

“We’re feeling the effects of the economy, just like everyone else,” said Service Council member the Rev. Ronald Brooks, who ministers at New Life Center in Tallapoosa.

“We have a Thanksgiving Service every year, and we take up a collection,” he said, “and we only received about half the donations we did last year.”

Service Council member and Tallapoosa City Manager Philip Eidson says the group is in dire need of donations since they spent about twice the amount of money they did last year in an effort to help as many Tallapoosa residents as possible.

Eidson says the group concentrates on providing local families in need with clothing during the Christmas season, as well as a toy or two for the children, and the number of those in need has greatly increased since last year.

“We helped more families this year,” Brooks said. “The number of children was up about 25 percent.”

Brooks estimated that the group helped as many as 29 local families, including as many as 81 children.

“We’re just a small group,” Eidson said. “This is our biggest project at Christmas time, and we rely solely on donations. We are not funded by state or federal aid.”

Brooks confirms that most of the group’s donations come from local churches, businesses and residents.

“The need this year is greater than it’s ever been,” Brooks said. “We just try to do what we can and be good stewards.”

However, the Service Council doesn’t just work on a seasonal basis. Their organization provides aid to residents year round.

Brooks’ father helped create the Tallapoosa Service Council in the 1950s. He says the goals of the organization have been passed down to a new generation, and while some of the demands may be a bit different than they were 50 years ago, the mission is the same.

“We like to reach out and help people this time of year. [...] When [the council] started, the focus was mainly on groceries and gifts,” Brooks said. “Now we’re spending more and more on utilities during the year.”

Eidson agrees, saying the introduction of the West Georgia Food Bank has really helped the council focus on residents’ other needs, such as shelter, utilities and clothes.

“Having the Food Bank helps us a lot,” Eidson said. “Now we can concentrate on assisting residents with rent, heat and medical needs, and clothing and toys at Christmas.”

While the council itself is only made up of 10 members, the group is supported by a whole network of volunteers. Different tasks are designated to different volunteers throughout the year, such as purchasing clothes or wrapping gifts. And the council is always accepting donations and volunteers.

“There are a lot of things that people can do to help,” Brooks said.

Despite the fact that the Christmas rush is over, Brooks and Eidson say donations and volunteers are still needed year-round. Understandably, many people cannot give a great deal this year. However, Eidson says, “every little bit helps.”

To donate to or volunteer for the Tallapoosa Service Council, contact Eidson at Tallapoosa City Hall, 770-574-2345.