Crisis Averted: Millington Crisis Center gets help to help others

Archives
Email this story | Print this story

 The Millington Crisis Center put out a distress call last week that alerted the public of the organization's need for funds to continue operating.

And after recent media coverage the call was answered by many individuals ranging from Lakeland and Memphis to Germantown who have donated money and in turn helped keep the doors open.

"It started because we didn't have enough money to pay our insurance," Director Lois Wilber said.The organization needed $700 for the insurance bill and was also looking to find a way to pay the remainder of the utility bill.

"Our resources were tapped out," she noted. "We had to use the money we planned for liability insurance for the utility bill."

Wilber said she approached Mayor Terry Jones last week to see if there was any way he could help.

"She came by the office and we talked," Jones said. "She said they were in dire need of funding. And we're always looking for funds for them. They do a lot of good for the community."

After Wilber's conversation with Jones, the ball of helping started to roll and since, Wilber said, there has been enough money donated to pay both the bills due now.

"We've gotten help," Wilber acknowledged. "We're OK for right now."

However, with future rate increases from both Memphis Light, Gas and Water and water increases from the city of Millington, Wilber said she is concerned about the future.

"It's (the increases) going to hurt people," she said. "It's going to be hard."

While the bills are currently paid up, paying the insurance next year is already a fear.

"It's kind of like a band-aid affect," Wilber noted. "We don't know how we'll pay for it next year."

The organization has operated in Millington for more than 20 years and helps people with everything from paying their own bills to supplying them with clothing and food.

"I don't know that everybody truly understands that we only receive money from the community," Wilber said. "It's the generosity of the people."

Now that people are dealing with rising gas prices and a slow economy, the Crisis Center is seeing an influx of residents.

"We're seeing a lot of new people," Wilber concluded. "A lot that thought they would never be in this position."

For more information about the Crisis Center, call 872-HELP.