Homelessness is a reality that thousands are facing throughout greater Lansing and lately those looking for help seem to be on the rise.
Everyday, hundreds of people line up for food at Volunteers of America in Lansing. Numbers from last month show they've been serving an extra 50 meals a day--a 15 percent increase over normal.
"That's puzzling and of concern, of course," said Patrick Patterson of Volunteers of America.
VOA officials cant really pin point it to just one cause.@
"Hopefully this is just a little snag we got to get through. Yet, one of the things that's concern about this economy is that we have so much structural change in Michigan, that perhaps this is going to be hard times for the poor for a long time. I don't want to see that its been hard enough this past 3 years," said Patterson.
At City Rescue Missions Maplewood Center, they've not only seen an increase in those looking for meals, but also shelter.
"We know that from last year, by the time we hit August, we're expecting to be over 100 women and children," said Laura Grimwood with City Rescue Mission.
This is compared to the usual 80 per night. They say they see a jump once school gets out.
"It's definitely going to be put a strain on resources, especially because they tend to increase over the summer months when a lot of people really aren't thinking about homelessness," said Grimwood.
"The hard part about all of this is you got to meet the need and you got to do it and you incure extra costs and extra time and overtime and food costs and house keeping supplys and so forth...
"So that's how we do it, ya know. Good people in the Lansing area who are concerned about these problems giving their time and their money to help the less fortunate. It's really really an inspiring thing, so I remain optimistic and we remain determined with good faith and hopefully that will get us through this time to," said Patterson.
To find out how you can help, visit Volunteers of America and City Rescue Mission.
