(WSBT) Social services agencies are trying to lend a hand to victims of the Nappanee tornado, while still trying to help others in need during the holidays. Those agencies have their hands full.

Bruce and Ann Earl are staying in an apartment right now. Their home was one of the hundreds damaged by the October 18 tornado. They are waiting for it to be repaired before moving back in.

In the meantime they are trying to piece their lives back together.

“We're hoping just to get our house built back up to where it should be and just get our lives back on track and do what we've got to do,” Ann said. “And try to just, not forget, but put it behind us, and just move on.”

Like many affected families, they are turning to local social service agencies to help them get their lives back on track now, and especially through the upcoming holidays.

The Earls are turning to the Family Christian Development Center (FCDC) — an agency that helps with needs on a variety of levels.

The center is trying to meet the growing needs of its regular clients, as well as the tornado victims.

“So we have multitudes of people who are needing help,” explained FCDC Director Joan Andrews. “As we look at the coming months, if what has happened holds true, our need this year is going to grow through the months of December, January and February."

Requests for assistance are also going up at the Open Door.

It is a non-profit agency that provides food and help with rent and utilities.

“Our volume has picked up about a third from what we usually have, since the storm,” said Henry Whelan of the Open Door. “We've increased about a third."

Both agencies say they are especially in need of extra funding to help with the growing demand for services, and would appreciate receiving financial donations from around the area.