Roanoke's Rescue Mission depends on fourth quarter donations to operate at the start of each new year.
In the tight economy, the money just didn't come in for the start of 2009.
The mission isn't in debt right now but that could literally change tomorrow.
"We really are living day by day here. There isn't any cushion. We can't make any mistakes.", says Rescue Mission director Joy Sylvester-Johnson. "It really I think has a lot to do with how many people show up at the door needing help from us. Because just as our donors are struggling more and more of them are moving from that line to the line coming in for services."
The mission has seen a 22 percent increase in people needing shelter and a 62 percent increase in people needing medical care in its clinic.
About 5 to 8 new people are seeking help from the mission each day.
The mission employs 83 people. Open positions are not being filled to save money.
The truck the mission uses to pick up donated food could break down any time. They can't buy a new one because the money just isn't there.
The mission is also trying to conserve energy to save on the electric bill.
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