Empty Stocking Fund: Mentally disabled man lives alone for first time

Mentally disabled, impoverished and soon to be alone.

Empty Stocking Fund Recipient No. 9 is confronted by a set of life challenges.

The 26-year-old man suffers from severe mental health issues. His disability prevents him from working.

His only source of income is $710 per month in Supplemental Security Income.

Though he has been living with his sister in Amarillo, the man now is in the process of relocating to his own residence at the request of his sister. The man's parents no longer live nearby.

"He has never lived on his own, and he is hesitant and scared," said Mandi Britten, who assisted Empty Stocking Fund Recipient No. 9 with his application to the Empty Stocking Fund. "It's a sad situation."

Empty Stocking Fund Recipient No. 9 is seeking assistance to buy groceries and clothing.

Amarillo Globe-News readers can help Empty Stocking Fund Recipient No. 9 and other individuals and families in need by contributing to the newspaper's annual Empty Stocking Fund.

The fund was created in 1972 to provide financial assistance to residents in the community.

Since then, more than $3 million has been contributed to the fund.

Donations can be mailed to Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 2091, Amarillo, TX, 79166. Please make checks payable to the Empty Stocking Fund. Donations can be made in memory of individuals or in honor of individuals, and the Amarillo Globe-News will mail letters of acknowledgement on request.

The Empty Stocking Fund is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax deductible.

Money collected through the Empty Stocking Fund is distributed to individuals and families in need in the form of vouchers for Walmart and United Supermarkets.

Donations for the Empty Stocking Fund will be accepted at the concert.

For more information about the Empty Stocking Fund, call 806-345-3363.