August becomes a record setting month for HIM
Sunday, August 28, 2016August was a record setting month as the Henderson Interchurch Ministry helped more people that month than ever before. Executive Director Donna Huckins said the ministry, which provides food and funds for Rusk County Residents in need, helped 204 people in August. "That's a tremendous number," she said.
Huckins said that historically, the ministry has helped between 90 and 120 people each month. However, the recent spring and summer months have shown a slow, upward trend with a sharp spike in August finally breaking the 200 mark.
"I'm not surprised, in a way," explains Huckins. "We've seen a lot of people laid off work or just out of a job with a slower economy. I knew we had been busy, but when we added up the numbers at the end of the month, having more than 200 was still a shock."
Huckins said the large number of requests has put a strain on both the ministry's finances and food stocks. "At one point in August, we were forced to close the doors as far as providing food," she explained. "And that's never happened during the four and a half years I've been here."
Unfortunately, the large number may be less of spike and more of a trend as early September numbers are also strong.
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