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Demand Prompts ECHO To Extend Hours

Tribune file photo by ROBERT BURKE

Stacey Efaw, head of the Brandon Emergency Care Help Organization, sees people who used to help her organization coming in for aid for themselves.

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

BRANDON - The woman made a lasting impression on Stacey Efaw, not because she was crying when she walked through the doors of the Brandon Emergency Care Help Organization, but because her hands were empty.

Efaw, executive director of the nonprofit organization that provides food and clothing for residents with emergency needs, has seen plenty of tears flow at the facility at 507 N. Parsons Ave.

What struck Efaw was that this woman, a regular donor at ECHO, came in last week to ask for help.

The reality left Efaw shaken.

"It's getting crazy out there," Efaw said, referring to the dour economy that's resulted in area job layoffs and business closings. "This lady's been giving to us for four years. Now they've cut her hours at work, which is almost as bad as losing your job because you can't get unemployment benefits. She was devastated. She's never had to ask for help before. She was so grateful but, at the same time, she was so upset and embarrassed."

Like canaries in a coal mine, Efaw and volunteers at ECHO began witnessing the effects of a dwindling job market two years ago. That's when business picked up at ECHO, and donations began dropping.

"It seems to stem from the decline in the housing industry," Efaw said. "We began seeing a lot of people in the construction industry at first - mostly roofers, masons, framers, construction workers. Then we started seeing a few professional people - Realtors, people in the mortgage industry."

Founded in 1987 by the Brandon Ministerial Association as a nonprofit, nondenominational food pantry, ECHO's mission is to support individuals and families through hardships with groceries, clothes and household items once every six months no more than four times.

Last year, ECHO provided food and clothing to 9,440 Brandon area residents. The number may top 10,000 this year.

"It's gotten so bad, we've had to extend our hours to 2 p.m. to accommodate everyone," Efaw said.

For years, ECHO was open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Unfortunately, Efaw said, as demand has increased, donations have decreased. Despite collecting a record 118,000 pounds of food during May's food drive with the U.S. Postal Service, ECHO's stores are once again low.

Donations of food, clothing or money can be dropped off during regular hours.

Call Efaw at (813) 685-0935.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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