With many out of work, the Hands of Love Ministry has had to limit its assistance to 600 families this year.The charity normally caters to about 400 homeless people and single parent families in need of food and other essentials, but Hands of Love founder Fern Wade said the tough economic climate has put more pressure on her organisation.Undaunted, Ms Wade said she has faith Bermuda’s ability to come together.“We are small, and if we pull together as a community, we can help one another,” she said. “Our motto at Hands of Love is ‘It’s not about me, it’s about we’.”Catering to the charity’s December 17 Meal on the Street for the Island’s homeless will require a couple of miracles, she said. Hands of Love needs more funds for the festive season event, in which around 300 meals are given away at the Bull’s Head car park in Hamilton.Confident she will raise extra money between now and then, Ms Wade said: “I believe in a God of miracles.”When Hands of Love Ministry started helping the homeless and single parents back in 1978, the charity served ten families.“The needs have grown and grown,” Ms Wade said, reckoning that 60 percent of those being assisted this year are people she hasn’t seen before.She attributes the greater number of new faces to jobless single parents.“Quite a few people are out work, which is something I did expect,” she said.Aside from providing food, at Christmas time and throughout the year, the Hands of Love van delivers holiday gifts for needy children aged five to 12.Donors should provide simple, inexpensive presents: “We’re looking for books, footballs, dolls, and things like socks and underwear to provide for the children,” Ms Wade said.The organisation will also send out “shoeboxes of love” to the homeless: toothbrushes, combs and toiletries, which will go out to the needy on December 23.To join Ms Wade and her volunteers this Christmas, call 238-7368 or 333-6789. Donations are gratefully received at Hands of Love Ministries, PO box HM3281, Hamilton HMPX.