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LIGHT ONE CANDLE Suddenly single, mom of 5 needs help with rent Life took an ugly turn recently for this Medford mother of five children ages 1 to 16. She didn't think she would become her family's sole provider, but her husband walked out unexpectedly a month ago, without a word or any money to help the family. Since then she's been scrambling to keep everything going. She's been scraping by with the help of friends and food boxes, and she is not on welfare. The only money the family has coming in is from the newspaper route her husband used to work. She and some of her children hit the streets and deliver the newspapers every day. "She is a very caring, good woman," said Sharon Schreiber, director of CERVS, a nonprofit agency in Medford that helps people with a variety of services including food, clothes and transportation. Schreiber, who is also director of the Interfaith Care Community in Ashland, said the mother is in her mid-30s and struggling. "She definitely needs help," Schreiber said, but she isn't one to ask for a handout and is trying to make it on her own. Her biggest expense right now is December's $475 rent. She has applied to welfare for help until she lands another job. But she won't see any assistance this month, because the application covers the period when her husband was contributing to the family's support. Anyone interested in helping the newly single Medford mom with rent or food can call Schreiber at 779-8564, or 488-3886. CERVS is also collecting donated toys this holiday season to give to children of low-income families. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA