“In A Pinch, South Whidbey’s community crisis and respite child care, is a success. As a free child care service to people “in a pinch,” it is reaching caregivers who need a break, according to Amy Overcash-White, the facility’s childcare coordinator. “Since the center’s re-opening at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Clinton, use of the child care has been steadily increasing,” Overcash-White said. “As a center supported entirely by the community through donations, in-kind supplies, and volunteer labor, In A Pinch is a well-run and vibrant organization. As a means for reducing parental stress, it has been helpful for the families who have used the service to date.”Overcash-White’s report was made recently to the steering committee at its monthly meeting and including these facts: In November, the center was operating at 75 percent of capacity. The average number of children per day using the facility has increased 180 percent since the first month of operation. Total numbers of children per month has increased steadily. Total children in November was 58 percent higher than the total children seen just the month before.Family caregivers used In A Pinch for several reasons, Overcash-White reported. They included doctor appointments, Al-Anon meetings, parenting classes, grief/loss, employment search, counseling appointments, parent support groups, emergency surgery/recovery time, self-care time (stress management) and others.Volunteer training for nine volunteers was held in November by the supervisor of Child Protective Services in Oak Harbor. More volunteers, supplies and donations are desperately needed, however, to keep this vital service active, Overcash-White said. For information on volunteering or donating, call CAPF at 331-7343. For information about the In A Pinch child care or to schedule use of the child care, call Helping Hand referral services at 221-7777.”