An Ottawa charity usually ready to help those in need, is in need itself. For the very first time in Caldwell Family Centre history, the organization may have to turn some people away this Christmas.
Families like Shannon Ashford and her two children are desperately struggling. The added help they are used to getting around this time of year has been tougher to find.
"I wanted to cry. I want to cry now, but being a mother of two I have to look and be strong," Ashford told CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr.
Ashford will get some help through the Caring and Sharing Exchange program. It provides families with vouchers and food hampers.
Volunteers are steadily assembling those hampers, but the charity is still short $275,000. It means more than five thousand families will not get the help they need in time for Christmas.
"Everybody is feeling the pinch; plus we've got more clients on our list than ever before," said Marilyn Matheson of the Caring and Sharing Exchange.
The Caldwell Family Centre in Ottawa's west end reports its situation is especially grim. It is providing hampers and presents for about 550 families but more people are coming every day asking for help they cannot provide.
One worker at the centre was so upset about the situation she broke down crying while being interviewed. Andree Williams said she has never had to turn people away before.
The Ottawa Mission is offering to help the centre anyway it can even though the shelter is short $150,000 itself.
If you would like to help just click on one of the following charity's names: the Caldwell Family Centre, The Ottawa Mission or The Caring and Sharing Exchange
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr
