ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Many people when they think of charitable giving, the first thing that comes to mind is giving around the holidays, primarily Thanksgiving and Christmas.

But for families who have school-aged children, one of the biggest needs comes at this time of the year when they have to struggle to provide uniforms and school supplies.

“Especially for families who have multiple children, it can be a real struggle,” the Rev. Steve Spining, pastor at the Robertsdale United Methodist Church, said. “Anyone who turns on the news knows the economic struggles this country is facing. More and more people are dealing with less income and more expenses and it is a blessing for us to be able to help out and do what we believe God called this church to do.”

This past Tuesday and Wednesday, RUMC volunteers were hard at work distributing school uniforms and supplies for those in need.

The ministry started 15 years ago by the Young at Heart Senior group at RUMC, and coordinator Jo Novotny said the response has again been good this year.

“We served 212 children yesterday,” Novotny said Wednesday. “I’m not sure about today, but we’ve had a steady stream of people.”

A consent form signed by the principal or a counselor from the child’s school is required before any supplies or uniforms can be given out. In the past two uniforms per child, one new and one used, were given regardless of family size, along with basic school supplies.

“We did not have as many gently used uniforms donated this year,” she said, “which provided us the opportunity to hand out more new clothes.”

Although they collect and accept clothes and supplies all year long, the summer months are their busiest and along with church members, Novotny said, people in the community also contribute to the cause.

They also work together with Catholic Social Services in Robertsdale to help out any families that move into the area during the year and need them.

Novotny said she wanted to thank all of the many volunteers for their support of the program.

“We have some super volunteers,” she said. “We certainly couldn’t do it without them.”

Robertsdale United Methodist Church is located on Highway 59 across from Greer’s Food Tiger. For more information, contact the church office at 251-947-4602.