GALLIPOLIS - For the Thanksgiving holiday, the Gallia County Outreach Center served food boxes to 120 families and gave frozen food to many others.

And this is only the beginning of their busiest time of the year. Now, they have to get ready for Christmas and beyond, said Nettie Warren, director of the center.

The cash-strapped center, which is a non-profit organization, is asking the public for help.

“We're asking the public to stop in and shop,” she said. “We have adult clothing for $1. Kids clothing ... is 50 cents.”

Center officials recently have asked for help from local governments. Gallia County Commissioners donated $2,000 earlier this month.

Board member Gary Fenderbosch also approached the Gallipolis City Commission for help. Commissioners said they would take the request under advisement.

The center operates from cash donations and by selling donated items, including clothes, shoes and furniture. The proceeds from those sales are used to by food for 18 cents per pound, Warren said.

During his visit with county commissioners, Fenderbosch said that the center had experienced a 50 pecent drop in donations this year.

Last year, the center helped 6,000 families during the winter months, but with donations down, that might not be possible this year, he said.

Now, the center is struggling to survive, Warren said.

“We're hoping we don't have to close,” she said. “We're planning to be here for the county for as long as we can.”

The center has for sale donated items, all of which are in good or excellent condition, Fenderbosch told commissioners.

The center's board currently is working on restructuring the way the organization operates, he said. They are looking at ways to change the way the facility operates.

Board members also are looking at other ways to raise money for the center, he said.

The Gallia County Outreach Center is located at 275 State St. It can be reached at 446-7555.