GULF SHORES, Ala. — Lending a hand, rather than giving a hand out, fuels the Christian Service Center mission.

Offering emergency assistance to those in need, the center also works to provide people the tools to survive independently.

“We try to go beyond and find solutions to the problem,” volunteer Janice Moss said. “We help people change their circumstance.”

Christian Service Center opened its doors in 1991 as a central screening location for church charities and has been helping Gulf Coast residents since.

A totally volunteer-operated, nonprofit organization, there are 130 volunteers that keep the center operational.

Rows of beautiful beachfront homes and condos can be deceiving, and Moss said people are surprised to hear there is a needy population on the Gulf Coast.

To date, the center has given just below $109,000 to assist with rent, utilities, medical and automotive bills.

There are 3,166 Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan residents currently receiving services from the center.

With the volatile summer tourist business, president of the center’s board Linda Chappelle said winter seasons are busy and the center sees a lot of people from the service industry.

“They do fine during the summer and snowbird season,” Chappelle said. “But once their hours start getting cut back they just can’t make it.”

The food pantry is the most prevalent used service. Providing enough food for any size family to survive for a week, the center also gives assistance in filing for food stamps.

“We hook them up with whoever can help them long term,”Chappelle said.

Food staples like milk, eggs and bread are donated to the center by businesses like Publix, Starbucks and Longhorn; as well as local businesses like the Wheel House and Barge N Chevron.

The Birthday Club also brings a little joy to someone’s tough situation. Parents can pick up a bag of goodies, which includes ingredients to bake a cake, and a few gifts to make a child’s birthday as special as it should be.

The Ozanam Pharmacy, a charitable pharmacy from Mobile, works with the center to give people the ability to get needed prescriptions filled.

Stocked medical equipment is available to be loaned to any who needs it, for as long as they need it.

Financial assistance is offered for those who come up short on rent or utilities, but Chappelle said that service is not a monthly offering.

“How can we not be in this same place next month?” Moss said the center asks and works with clients to answer. “What can we do to change your circumstances?”

Meals on Wheels, which is provided at cost by Hazel’s, is offered Monday through Friday for a $3 lunch.

With the holidays fast approaching, the centerknows the financial strain it can create and is doing what they can to make the season cheerful.

The Christmas Cheer program allows parents to request gifts through the angel tree system. Ornaments, with gift information, can be picked up at the center.

Christmas Spirit creates an avenue for volunteers to visit the dormant elderly with goodies and warmth.

A Christmas food box is also available for families, ensuring they will have a Christmas dinner. A dinner meat and side vegetables are available to anyone whose budget might be stretching thin this season.

On March 2, Christian Service Center will hold its only fundraiser that far from supports the center and its programs. A spaghetti dinner is held to help fund the center, but Chappelle said that they rely heavily on donations and benefactors.

When asked of the successes, Chappelle said a client who doesn’t return is a success because that means they have improved their circumstances and are living independently.

For information on how to sign up for or donate to the center or any of its programs visit their Web site, christianservicecenter.net or call 251-968-5256.