Groups Helping the Poor, Struggle to Keep Pace with Demand

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.seattlecourant.com/searchnews.php?op=showstory&storyid=108

February 7, 2009
Groups Helping the Poor, Struggle to Keep Pace with Demand
By Robin MacPherson

With unemployment rates hitting record levels, organizations like Seattle's Union Gospel Mission and Northwest Harvest are struggling to keep up with the influx of people who need their help.

“We're looking at about a 17 percent increase from last year,” Claire Acey, of Northwest Harvest said. The hunger relief agency has seen a 20 percent increase in operating costs.

The Gospel Mission has seen a similar increase in demand. Last year, the faith-based organization handed out 1,000 more sandwiches than the year before and saw an increase of 3,000 overnight stays in their shelters, said Sharon Thomas-Hearns the Gospel Mission director of public relations.

To make matters worse, January is historically a slow month for giving.

“We expect a drop in fund raising in January, it always happens,” Thomas-Hearns said. “However the drop this January was more than expected. We are down from what we raised in Jan. 2008 and we are 12 to 15 percent under goal for Jan. 2009. If this trend continues at the rate that it is, we are going to have to cut services and lay off staff.”

Neither the Gospel Mission nor Northwest Harvest receive government monies to operate. They rely solely on the support of individuals, corporations and foundations to keep their doors open.

FULL story at link.