HOLIDAY HELP: BASIC NEEDS ARE OFTEN UNMET

Mrs. E survives on half of what most minimum wage earners make in a month. Like many others, all she is doing is surviving.

She lives alone in subsidized housing, and she has no children to help take care of her needs. Her one-room apartment is sparsely furnished, and she keeps her clean clothes in garbage bags.

Mrs. E's Christmas list ranges from very simple to what many people take for granted. She needs full-sized blankets, sheets, pillows and a bedspread. She also needs a bedroom dresser and chest of drawers.

She needs clothing, including size 12 underwear, size 50 DD bras and size 10 1/2 wide shoes. She would like white, gray, and black dresses to wear to church. She wears a size 26W.

Mrs. E would like help with her groceries. Some of her favorites are greens, cauliflower, unsalted canned soup and chicken. She also likes canned meats, crowder peas, sardines, unsalted crackers, rice, lunch meat, roast, pork steak, powdered milk, and Honey Nut Cheerios.

Christmas for the Elderly works to provide people with special requests that many people take for granted, including food, clothing and money for medications. The program is in its 12th year and is co-sponsored by Cape Girardeau County Health Department and the Southeast Missourian.

Gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian or area locations through Dec. 13. Drop-off points are located at West Park Mall, Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, Boatmen's Bank, Gulliver's Travel Agency, Mercantile Bank, Union Planter Bank, The First National Bank, Commerce Bank and Sanders True Value Hardware.

Cash contributions, cab coupons, paper products and grocery store gift certificates are always needed and may help elderly people all year long.

Contributions may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0699.