Dan Rogers is the President and CEO of Cherry Street Mission Ministries. He says the number of people needing shelter is climbing.
Right now the organization is serving around 280 men and women, putting the shelters a capacity.
"Its cold outside and the longer we have cold and the longer the winter drags on, the higher the number of men and women we'll see for service," Rogers said.
He expects the upswing to continue but says no one will be turned away.
"We start moving tables and furniture and start putting people up," he said.
When the numbers go up, resources fade and fast. But last week, the city conducted its annual PIT count, where officials go out from midnight to 4 a.m. and county how many people are living in shelters and on the streets. It's a big factor in how federal dollars are distributed.
"I think our efforts were definitely more fruitful than they have been in the past," Renee Palacios, Executive Director of Family House said.
Much like Cherry Street Ministries, Family House is also seeing more need. In fact, they've already helped more people than last year. Currently, all of it's 103 beds are full.
"Family homelessness is very different than individual homelessness. An individual may be able to brave the elements but children cannot on their own," Palacios said.
Rogers and Palacios say its normal to see a jump this time of year. But both believe the kindness of the community will help them continue to serve others.
Family House is in need of toiletries like toilet paper and cleaning supplies, as well as plastic ware. Call 419-242-5505 for more information.
Click here to help Cherry Street Mission Ministries.
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