It’s hot. There’s been little or no rain. The air-conditioner is running full blast when, suddenly, the electricity goes out. Now what?

This is the scenario for some people in Rush county. In an attempt to help those doing without, Tabitha’s Mission has been hard at work finding ways to help those in need.

“People have spent their money to pay for electric bills and have likewise come up short for food” Pastor Gabe Huff at the ROCK Church said. “We want to help, but food donations always go down in the summer.”

At Christmas everyone is thinking of helping those less fortunate. In the summer everyone is thinking about vacation and all that goes with it.

Right now, Tabitha’s Mission is dangerously low on food supplies. Because the Salvation Army had such low collections at Christmas they are now out of funds and unable to help subsidize Tabitha’s Mission as they did in the past.

“We have gone from serving approximately 40 to 60 families a month to now close to 100 families a month, and with the closing of factories in this region that number is likely to rise,” Melissa Huff, Tabitha’s Mission co-coordinator, said.

So what can be done?

Here are several suggestions that would help out tremendously.

1) If you raise livestock consider donating some frozen meat to needy families. Some farmers have done so already and those in need are very appreciative.

2) Hunters, Tabitha’s Mission accepts professionally packaged wild game as well.

3) It would be nice, with all of the free concerts this year, to have the city set out a box at the entrance to the amphitheater and everyone who comes to the concert bring one or more canned foods for those in need.

4) Do you belong to a club or organization? Ask your board to make a donation or take up a collection for the mission; 100% of all monies received go to providing for the needy in Rush County.

5) Ask your pastor or church board if there is any way you can help the needy. This might include food drives or monetary donations.

6) Individuals are also encouraged to help. Tabitha’s Mission is always looking for food and monetary donations, even more so this time of year.

7) Online. On the ROCK church Web site (www.rockchurch.8m.com) click “Tabitha’s Mission Home.” When that opens you will se a banner for a site called “Igive.com.” Click on the banner and that will take you to IGive.com, where you can sign up to help support Tabitha’s Mission by simply shopping online through Igive.com. This is a great way to give while doing what you already do, shop. If you sign up and shop now $5 will be donated to Tabitha’s Mission immediately.

Be a positive influence on the community and find some way to help. If you are writing a check make it out to: Tabitha’s Mission. You can mail it in to 126 S. Perkins St., Rushville, IN 46173; or call 765-932-2972; or just drop it by and put it in the mail box.

You can drop off food donations during operation hours: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays and 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursdays.