(This is the 21st annual Empty Stocking story in which the Tribune highlights the needs of families in the area. We invite the community to donate to the agencies that are helping these families to make sure none of them have empty stockings on Christmas morning. Please do not send your donations to the Tribune. All money and donations should be given to the agencies.)

Ruth Meiers Hospitality House

Bismarck's homeless shelter, the Ruth Meiers Hospitality House, is hoping for a green Christmas.

The shelter is doing "OK" financially, "but financial gifts are always our largest need,"said Kristi Schmidt, Ruth Meiers' development director.

Schmidt said the shelter, which has about a $600,000 annual operating budget, currently is providing housing for 68 residents:25 men at the 18-bed shelter and the rest are women and children housed at two duplexes off-site.

"This has been our busiest year so far," she said.

There have been days when the shelter has run out of beds, put up cots in bedrooms and the dining room, and then ran out of cots and so some men end up sleeping on the shelter floor.

The shelter also has other services including educational programs, a soup kitchen, a walk-in medical clinic, a food pantry that hands out 5,000 to 8,000 pounds a month. And it offers a drop-in center, open from midnight to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 1 to 6 a.m. on Saturday. It's for those who don't want housing, but do want a safe respite off of the streets where they can wash up and get a hot meal.

Schmidt said donating to the general fund, instead of designating the donation for a particular program, is much appreciated. Sometimes some of the shelter's programs have earmarked money in the bank while other programs go wanting.

"That's what really puts (the shelter) in a bind,"she said.

Schmidt said for those who would like to donate Christmas gifts for the residents, here are some ideas:

3 For children and teens, toys or new clothes.

3 For men and women, bus passes for the CAT or gift cards to a hair salon, grocery stores, gas stations, or stores such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target; hats, gloves, scarves, perfume/cologne sets, alarm clocks, portable radios/CD players; or kitchen utensils, silverware, pots and pans, sheets, towels, washcloths and dish towels - anything that may help them once they move into their own apartment.

Gifts can be brought to the Ruth Meiers office, 1800 E. Broadway Ave., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, call Lori at 222-2108.

- Virginia Grantier

BECEP

It could stand for Because Every Child is an Extraordinary Person or Bringing Every Child Educational Possibilities.

Actually, BECEP does stand for those things, even if that's not what the acronym means.

The Bismarck Early Childhood Education Program exists to enhance every child's ability to reach his or her potential. Through programs such as Head Start and Early Childhood Special Education, the agency works to develop and maintain meaningful partnerships with families to reach out to children in need.

The majority of the families BECEP serves are hard-working and struggle just to survive, according to Pam Haak, a family advocate for BECEP. Each situation varies, but the daily struggles for most of the families can be overwhelming.

At Christmas, BECEP could use donations of educational toys, such as puzzles, books, board games, Legos, blocks, art supplies and more.

The agency also would like to be able to provide families with some personal-hygiene products, including laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, paper towels, toilet paper and cleaning supplies.

BECEP also will accept monetary donations for families in emergency situations, gas coupons, grocery store gift certificates and CAT bus tickets.

Donations can be delivered to Richholt School, 720 N. 14th St., or mailed to BECEP, 806 N. Washington St., Bismarck, ND 58501.

For more information, call 221-3450 or 221-3490.

- Tony Spilde

Charles Hall Youth Services

Charles Hall Youth Services provides needed help to North Dakota's youth and families facing the challenges of increasing poverty, methamphetamine use, drug and alcohol abuse, inadequate family support systems and rising mental health needs, said Charles Hall staff member Rhonda Jacobs. More than 60 percent of the youth in its care are teenage girls, and 40 percent are American Indian.

Girls and boys at Charles Hall Youth Services long for and welcome support from the community, especially during the holiday season, Jacobs said. Because a youth's placement may last anywhere from a day to a year, gift cards provide the flexibility to buy gifts a week or two before Christmas for those youth in the group homes over the holidays.

Gift cards are welcome from places such as Kirkwood Mall, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, JC Penney, TJ Maxx or Starbucks, she said. Gift cards may be dropped off or mailed to Charles Hall Youth Services, 513 E. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58504.

The agency is licensed by the state of North Dakota to provide group home foster care for at-risk youth ages 12-17. Founded in 1965, it serves more than 100 foster youth each year. The agency owns and operates three neighborhood-based homes in the Bismarck community.

For more information, call Jacobs at 255-2773, extension 301.

- Karen Herzog

Community Action Program

The holiday season is a bustling time for the Community Action Program, and a new program will add to its busy pace.

Starting up is a backpack program that provides non-perishable food for kids who may otherwise not eat, said Andrea Werner, the self-reliance coordinator.

"The goal is to provide food items to children on Friday afternoon so that children will have something to eat during the weekends when there is no certainty of food," she said.

The backpacks are available to kids identified as low income or homeless in the Bismarck area. The program is coordinated with the Bismarck public school system.

The private nonprofit agency provides many other programs for low-income families.

Its needs are basic: toys, wrapped if new; children's clothing; adult clothing; household items, including pots, pans, dishes and silverware; and food items.

"Of course we accept money donations, which would go to the food pantry to buy food," Werner said.

If money is available, Community Action also helps with rent and security deposits for those in need.

Other programs include self-reliance, money management, teen court and home buyer education.

Items may be taken to the Community Action Agency's offices, 2105 Lee Ave., Bismarck. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 258-2240.

- Richard Hinton

AARC

Last year, the Adult Abused Resource Center served 1,001 new incidents of domestic violence, 655 of which affected children.

Throughout last year, 74 families, including 71 children, sought safety in the AARC shelter, called Pam's House.

And each year those children's eyes brighten when they receive unexpected gifts from the community.

The holidays are a difficult time for victims, who are rarely able to afford gifts for their children. That stress, said Amy Arenz, AARC advocate, can often lead to victims returning to abusive partners in an effort to help fullfil Christmas promises.

"Many victims have overcome the isolation and fear of further abuse by taking the risk to end the relationship, " said Arenz. "Unfortunately, many victims are forced to stay in the relationship because it would be too dangerous to leave."

For more than 30 years, AARC has worked to give these families hope. And last year, AARC was able to bring a joyful holiday to 306 children and 93 families.

Donations to help children and family members victimized by violence are being taken now at AARC, 218 W. Broadway, or by calling 222-8370.

To help families, children could use toys, puzzles and books, including the animated or electronic playback books.

Women at the shelter can use all kinds of paper products, including personal hygiene items and baby care items such as baby wipes and diapers. They also could use dishes and utensils, phone cards or gift cards for essentials.

Gasoline vouchers and vehicle maintenance, such as oil changes and tune ups, also are appreciated.

- Crystal Reid

AID

AID, Inc. is a nonprofit organization working with the poor, specializing is helping those individuals and families that fall through society's cracks.

"We help those who can't get help from other organizations. People who lose their job or can't get a job, we help them through the food panty, with rent, utilities, that kind of thing," said client service provider Roxie Polzin. "We try to help them through the rough times, so they don't get so far behind on their finances, until they get back on their feet."

AID has been around for 22 years and Polzin has worked for the organization for 12 years. There are offices in Bismarck and Mandan and a thrift store in Bismarck.

AID has hundreds of clients, according to Polzin, and she'll see between eight and 12.

"I'm a good listener and I've heard some very rare stories over the years," Polzin said. "We do try to provide some guidance for those who ask."

From October through Christmas is AID's busiest time of year, according to Polzin. There are a number of sundry items AID could use to help its clients including diapers sized 1 to 3, hair shampoo and conditioners, bar soap, peanut butter, diaper wipes and dry milk.

Polzin added that there has been a shortage of turkeys this year.

"None of the agencies have gotten turkeys this year. We've always had quite a few to distribute, but not this year," she said. "If anyone would like to donate turkeys, just stop in at one of our food pantries either in Bismarck or Mandan.

AID is basically funded through the United Way, personal and business contributions. The revenue from its thrift store is used for the help centers and food pantries.

To drop off items, AID can be contacted at 223-9150 in Bismarck or 663-1274 in Mandan. Offices are located at 404 Airport Road in Bismarck and 314 Main St. W in Mandan.

- Gordon Weixel