Cherry Street Mission needs donations - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Demand is up at Cherry Street Mission, but supplies are down. The organization says it typically receives fewer donations during summer months, but usually not this early. The cupboards at The Cherry Street Mission aren't quite bare, but they aren't full.

Charles Allen is the Executive Director of Transformative Services at the organization.

He says, "It's causing us to have some concern just about our service and keeping our level of service up to the community.But, we are still keeping our doors open."

The organization is serving more than 750 meals per day, that's up 14% compared to last year. Food distribution is up 65% since last year, and on average roughly 225 people stay here each night.    

Allen says, "Unfortunately, the need is growing much faster than our services are able to keep up with at times."

Dietrick Griffin is a guest at the mission.

He says, "People here have got to eat, and they are trying their best to feed them but you can only do so much."

Griffin has been coming here for the past six months, trying to get back on his feet

He says, "Getting back to work, being forced into the community again."

Many people like Griffin count on donations to eat and live.     
    
"Please look in your pantries and help. See what they don't need, bring it down here, we'll use it," he says.

They are in need of bottled water, bagged ice, toilet paper, and any kind of meat and fruit.

Food donations can be dropped off at Madison Food Service and Community Center. Non-food donations can be dropped off at the Lifebridge Center. You can also make monetary donations directly to The Cherry Street Mission Ministries.