Making sure limited resources help the most people has always been the focus of the Christmas Clearinghouse.

"Last year, 13,000 individuals were served," said Brooke Howell, community impact director for the United Way of the CSRA, which coordinates the system used by more than 40 organizations in 10 Georgia counties, including Richmond and Columbia.

This year, Christmas Clearinghouse should be even more efficient. Its new computer system has been expanded and is available for all agencies. Last year, a few agencies tested the computer technology.

"Any type of organization that provides Christmas assistance such as toys or food can log into the system," said Ms. Howell.

The purpose is to prevent several agencies from helping the same families and stretching nonprofits' tight budgets to help more people.

The groups testing the computer system last year gave it rave reviews, she said. They could find out within seconds if someone who had applied for Christmas help with them had applied elsewhere.

Some of the larger organizations using the Christmas Clearinghouse include the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, First Baptist Church of Augusta and Augusta Urban Ministries.

With more people expected to ask for help this year, Ms. Howell said, the service is even more beneficial.

Civic, faith-based or community organizations that provide Christmas assistance but have never used the Christmas Clearinghouse system can learn how to access it by calling Ms. Howell at (706) 724-5544. Families in need of assistance should call 2-1-1.