In less than two weeks, more than 10,000 Michigan families will lose cash assistance from the government.
Charities are looking for the community to step up.
They say it's needed now more than ever because things were getting worse even before the October 1st cut-off.
The summer of 2011 has been one of the busiest ones for the Rescue Ministries of MidMichigan.
The men's quarters have been at capacity for months.
Directors are looking to install ten more beds to meet the need.
Executive director Dan Streeter says, "We're starting to gear up and be prepared. We don't know off hand how many people we may be coming to the door of the mission needing more assistance."
The ministry served more than 62,000 meals in 2011 and housed more than 900 people.
"Just this past year, we're already seeing an increase of about 300 residents compared to the year before," says Streeter.
Charity leaders say on October 1st around 300 Saginaw County families and 40 Bay County families will lose cash assistance.
"It's going to be an issue where this community is going to have to come together and try to share the resources and direct people in the right direction," says Pastor Larry Camel of Saginaw's Parishioners on Patrol.
Parishioners on Patrol have helped around 34,000 people since the faith-based group started in 2007.
Its food distribution system is donation-based.
"If the community wants to see us do more, we're going to have to have more sponsors and some more donations. We'd like to get more churches involved," says Camel.
In addition to the cash-assistance cuts, the state is changing its requirements for those on food stamps, which will put more strain on those struggling.
Most people won't notice this cut immediately.
It could be a few months before the full effect is realized. That means Thanksgiving and Christmas could be especially needy times.
