Contributions can now be made to the Southeast Kids in Difficult Situations (KIDS) program for farm children and families in financial need.

Weyburn farmers Dave Pulfer and Stephen Jacob came up with the idea for the program and have been developing it over the past few weeks.

The charitable organization will work on a donation basis. A community trust fund has been set up at the Weyburn Credit Union, but donations can also be made at the TD bank.

Families having trouble meeting low cost, basic needs like prescription drug costs, winter clothing, groceries, overdue utility bills and others will be the recipients.

The majority of referrals to the KIDS program are expected to come from Social Services and the Farm Stress Line. Personal referrals can be made to Pulfer or Jacob.

A small, local volunteer board will administer the fund, receive referrals and determine eligibility.

Since the program is run on a volunteer basis, there are no administration costs, and 100 per cent of the donations will go to the farm children and families that need it.

Pulfer says the effects of the farm crisis are hitting home and taking their toll on day-to-day living in rural communities.

"With predictions of farm income levels to be at that of the 1930s, we want to make sure children do not slip through the cracks of existing programs," he said.

"This is going to be one more place for people who have nowhere else to go."

As long as the need exists, Pulfer would like to see the KIDS program expand to become a province-wide source of help.