MILTON — Valaquenta Foster has been juggling two jobs for three years to support her 9-year-old son and pay a mortgage.

A part-time certified nursing assistant, Foster supplements her income by working as a cleaner.

Although she’s sought full-time employment in her nursing job whenever an opportunity arises, the single mother said she’s been unable to find full-time child care.

“For me it’s been either-or. My baby-sitter isn’t able to take care of my son five days a week, and I don’t have family in the area,” Foster said.

She gets by “on a lot of prayer” and looking for any way to cut costs.

“Thank God for LIHEAP (a low-income heating assistance program). It gives me a chance to save money,” she said.

Her son has compiled a long wish list for the holidays, and Foster said she has explained to him that money is tight.

“I’ve told him, ‘You probably won’t get everything. The money’s not there, so the gifts won’t be there,’ ” she said.

Last year, the Fosters received gifts and a food basket from the Needy Family Fund, sponsored by The Daily Item, Sunbury Broadcasting Corp. and Susquehanna Bank, in cooperation with the Salvation Army of Sunbury and Milton.

They have applied for assistance again this year.

“It helps, and we are grateful for everything,” she said.

Recent donations are as follows: Gary and Marilyn Sites, Sunbury, $50; John and Barbara Pagana, Selinsgrove, $500; Phyllis Close and Cecily, Lewisburg, $50; anonymous donations: $125.

The fund now has $1,900.

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