The founder and CEO of Operation Hands On – a University Place-based group that assists families displaced by emergencies – says she’s been inundated with calls from social agencies and struggling families who’ve needed help over the last two months.

She estimates the number of calls is up about 25 percent for this time of year. In addition to furniture, people are asking for food and help paying the rent.

But the 54-year-old has also seen a dip in donations, a product of the lagging economy. Bazar isn’t seeing the gifts of $400 and $500 people made three years ago, when she started her mom-and-pop nonprofit to help victims ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

These days, donations are more like $25 and $50 apiece.

“We’re having to tell people, ‘We don’t have money to give, but we will send you to someone who will help,’” she said.

This isn’t the first time Operation Hands On has faced difficult times. In 2006, the group had to move from its original location – the former Clocktower Square building off Bridgeport Way West – to make room for the University Place Town Center. UP had allowed the group to temporarily lease space in the city-owned facility at almost no charge, but a faulty sprinkler system forced it to find a new home sooner than expected.

Operation Hands On found another home a few months later, when a developer allowed the group to rent a space off 27th Avenue West.

Last December, someone left a mound of weathered furniture and junk on the group’s back doorstep. It would have cost Bazar and her co-owner, husband Larry Nelthropp, hundreds of dollars to clean up.

Again, community kindness saved Operation Hands On, as volunteers cleaned up the mess for free.

Bazar hopes the community can come through this year, but it’s a tall order given the economic climate.

She’s already been forced to trim some expenses. The group won’t hold its annual Christmas dinner, instead offering cake and coffee. It won’t be able to give toys to the University Place Fire Department’s toy drive.

It will give only one toy to children of families it assists instead of two or three.

But the most telling sign of the times, Bazar said, is the demeanor of people asking for help.

“I think more people are more humble,” she said. “We’re giving less, but they’re grateful for what they get.”

Brent Champaco: 253-597-8653

OPERATION HANDS ON

Location: 8427 27th St. W., University Place

Year founded: 2005

Staff: 25 volunteers

Annual budget: Not available

How to help: www.operationhandson.org, 253-273-9616