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And the CAER (Chesaning Area Emergency Relief) Center has been helping its community for over 25 years.

Starting as a small food pantry located within the Bueche's Furniture store with about $15 worth of food in 1982, the organization has grown into a full fledged emergency food and financial assistance program and clothing distribution center now housed in its own building.

The Christian outreach organization provides short-term emergency help to people in and around the Chesaning area through financial and food assistance along with recycled items that include clothing, toys, shoes, bedding and household items, and more.

"Along with our food and financial programs what we have is basically anything people donate that they can't use any more that someone else might be able to make use of," said Center Director Kenn Bueche.

Bueche, one of the founders of the organization notes that during the financial crunch back in the early 1980s, he and other community members saw a need in this area for a place where people could get help in an emergency situation.

"We saw this man sleeping in the back of a pick-up truck and we thought 'we should have a stock of food available to help people like that' so we bought about $15 worth of food and set up an area at the furniture store. And that is how it started," he said.

Bueche's personal passion for helping those in his community who are in need is apparent in his voice as he talks about his dedication to the operation of the center.

"People need to be aware that we are in an area where there is a lot of need. We have lots of financial and food needs in this community. We have a lot of people in our area that struggle and need our help," he notes.

"Besides, if we didn't do this the clothes we recycle would be thrown in the garbage. It gives the people who don't need them a way to share them, helps the people who can't afford them otherwise, and it also saves on our environment."

And after 25 years of dedication to the cause of helping his community, Bueche says he is in no way tired of the task and has no plans to step down.

"No way, this is my life," Bueche said when asked if he was ready to turn over the reins of the operation.

Although that passion does have him thinking about the future of the center.

He says if he has the choice he will never not be involved but he admits he does worry about the day when he can no longer operate the center and would like to find someone who is interested in working with him and learning what it takes to keep it going.

Presently ten area churches serve as the nucleus of the center by way of monetary, food and clothing donations. Representatives from each of the churches also serve as the center's Board of Directors.

A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the center relies completely on donations from the community.

Bueche notes that the holidays are a very important time of year for the center.

"People tend to give a lot during the holiday time but not so much in the months following. We depend upon the holidays to carry us through until spring. The food we collect now needs to carry us into May."

The organization gave out over 1,000 food boxes and over $21,000 in financial assistance so far throughout 2007.

The center also serves 180 families at the holiday time with food baskets and gifts made possible through giving trees at the local churches and food drives at the schools.

Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., anyone is welcome to browse through the center's offerings.

There are no requirements to qualify for assistance and all clothing is free.

People in need can receive a food box once every six weeks.

Financial help of $100 is also available, but not more than once a year.

The CAER Center is located at 218 South Church Street in Chesaning and can be reached by calling 845-6212.