Rising utility bills and other expenses have forced some residents beyond their budgets as Christmas approaches.

AFL-CIO Community Services recently launched its annual Adopt-A-Family Christmas program, which assists needy families and individuals in the St. Joseph area. Assistant Director Penny Adams said 238 families had applied for the aid through Wednesday. This first rush means the agency will take only the first 50 persons who apply daily, Ms. Adams said.

Stories vary as to need, but many people have told intake staff that they aren't able to put aside adequate savings for the holidays. Some families say they are living paycheck-to-paycheck, she added.

"A lot of them are saying they're working, but because of utilities or unexpected (payments), they're not able to get by," she said. "A lot of them you could tell by their bills."

Those applicants who specifically mention utility expenses are told about Community Action Partnership, which offers help in paying heat and light bills, and assistance from Kansas City Power & Light. Many of the applicants are beset by past-due penalties that add to the existing bill, or are saddled by payday and car title loans, Ms. Adams said.

"It's robbing from the rent money," she said of some situations.

Another segment of the Adopt-A-Family applications are people who have lost jobs, but are without enough unemployment compensation to cover their holidays.

The agency is now starting to see more families come through its doors, Ms. Adams said, after seeing early applications from individuals and senior citizens.

Jana Castanon, a community outreach director for the Consumer Credit Counseling Service, offered advice to families in making holiday budgets:

Talk with family members to determine if names can be exchanged among the adults and whether a dollar figure can be placed on the amount to be spent on gifts.

Know which merchants have sales before setting out on shopping trips. Never go shopping without a plan, to avoid impulse purchases.

Make a list of everything purchased and how much it costs, so they're not forgotten.

Use cash to stay within your budget.

Ray Scherer can be reached

at rscherer@npgco.com.