SAGINAW, MI. -- Homeless shelters and soup kitchens in Mid-Michigan are seeing a record number of people in need during these tough economic times. While those people are struggling it's also a difficult time for the people that try and help people to get back on their feet.
Pam Cole is the director at East Side Soup Kitchen in Saginaw and has worked the last fifteen years weekdays, weekends and holidays at the center. "Sometimes I just go home and sit in a chair. It's frustrating because I can't do anything," she stated.
Pam says the hardest part of her job is not being able to help people with everything they need. "It gets a little overwhelming."
It's overwhelming as well for Barbara Fleming who has spent the last 14 years working with women and children at the City Rescue Mission in Saginaw. "You get through it because you're here to help," Fleming commented.
In the last year the City Rescue Mission has seen a jump from 500 people to nearly 650 people. The East Side Soup Kitchen has seen spike in numbers too. In the last two years they went from serving 260 people a day to nearly 330 people. Both women say at times the job can be discouraging but the rewards of the job make it all worth it.
"There have been some who are in really bad shape and then we help. They are able to go to school and get a job" said Pam. Barbara adds "seeing people resolve their homelessness is what helps to keep us coming back."
Good news for all the people Pam and Barbara help.
If you would like to donate to either organization check out www.rescuesaginaw.org or www.eastsidesoupkitchen.org.
