Who: Ann, her sister and their mother who has cancer. Ann's sister stays home to take care of their ailing mother. Ann works part-time. She has four children -- boys age 10 and 8 and girls 11 and 13. Their rent has just increased, and they are having a hard time with this increase.

Agency: Care & Share of East Lyme, founded in 1989 and staffed by volunteers, offers a year-round food pantry, financial assistance both short and long term, scholarships and camperships, holiday food baskets and gifts, filled backpacks for students, and a winter coat program for East Lyme and Salem residents.

What to give: Gift cards for groceries or Walmart would be appreciated. Also boots and winter coats for the children. Boots would be boys size 2 and 3, and girls size 6 and 8. Coats would be boys size 10 and 12, and girls size 12 and 14.

To donate: Checks made out to Care & Share, gift cards, and grocery cards may be mailed to Care & Share of East Lyme, attention MAKE A DIFFERENCE Pat Payne, president, P.O. Box 114, East Lyme, CT, 06333. Gifts may be brought to the pantry on Roxbury Road, Niantic or call (860) 739-8502.