Less available to feed those in need
EUGENE, Ore - The economy is sinking and unemployment is growing but every Thursday, downtown Eugene's Lawrence Street Chapel's "Street Ministry" invites people in from the streets for a hot meal, clothes and more.
"They're at peace, they're praying," says volunteer Sandy Castaneda.
This year, the nation's rollercoaster economy has many Americans holding their pocketbooks a little tighter. This has resulted in less donations but many more in need. "I've been out here 2 months," says Ronnie Russell who recently became homeless. "I'm seeing families come out here now."
Workers say they serve on average 1,300 meals a month. "When it's cold we'll have a line going completely around the building," says Castaneda.
What makes this Street Ministry unique is they get no federal funding. Every last bit of help comes from the community. Workers tell me they understand financial frustrations but are still asking folks who can to help so those in need can always have a place to go.
"They need to have a place to go," says Castaneda. "I don't know where they sleep. I don't know where they're at at night and I don't know what they're thinking or feeling. But I know on Thursday they can be a normal human being without anybody putting them under the microscope."
"They're at peace, they're praying," says volunteer Sandy Castaneda.
This year, the nation's rollercoaster economy has many Americans holding their pocketbooks a little tighter. This has resulted in less donations but many more in need. "I've been out here 2 months," says Ronnie Russell who recently became homeless. "I'm seeing families come out here now."
Workers say they serve on average 1,300 meals a month. "When it's cold we'll have a line going completely around the building," says Castaneda.
What makes this Street Ministry unique is they get no federal funding. Every last bit of help comes from the community. Workers tell me they understand financial frustrations but are still asking folks who can to help so those in need can always have a place to go.
"They need to have a place to go," says Castaneda. "I don't know where they sleep. I don't know where they're at at night and I don't know what they're thinking or feeling. But I know on Thursday they can be a normal human being without anybody putting them under the microscope."
