A tough economy is giving many people extra appreciation for help from their neighbors.
The Eolia Community Christian Outreach group in Letcher county is one of those making a difference for others in need.

If there's anything good about a tough economy...

"I don't know what this world's going to come to if times don't get better," says Glessie Elkins,

...it might be the back-to-basics approach of organizations like ECCO, a group of people helping people.

25 volunteers pack free food boxes for about 80 families each month.

Elkins says, "I'm not starving, but I would be without a lot if it wasn't for this."

Sarah Noble, another food box recipient, says, "And every little bit helps, you know, because it's really rough right now to make it."

The non-denominational group prays for better times, and puts their prayers into action one family at a time.

ECCO board member Ray Bird says, "We see it more and more every day and it's just a blessing to everybody to have a program like this."

ECCO volunteer Hannah Burke says, "I just, I love to see people smile."

Volunteers like Burke run a thrift store out of the same building, where Sandy Lewis shops for less for her granddaughter.

Lewis says, "When she outgrows stuff we bring it down here for other people that may need it. That way it's a place to not have to throw anything away that can be useful."

Their work brings more than food to people like Glessie Elkins; it also brings hope. "To know that there are people out there that's got a heart in them like that," says Elkins. Hope that her neighbors will be here in good times and bad.

ECCO also assists a veterans' center and orphanage, provides supplies for home health care nurses, and hosts a pre-school program.
To learn more about these and other projects, call ECCO at 606-633-2992.