The local multi-service charity Hope House is seeing an increase in clients that staff say is likely caused by the recession, but can also be attributed to the increased public awareness about the center.
The organization, which provides assistance with food and everyday items to those in need, saw a 46 percent increase in overall services in 2009, a trend that is expected to continue this year say staff.
According to Assistant Program Manager Philip Corrigan, roughly 20 percent of the daily clients he sees are new to the center.
“I'm pretty sure the economy has been the biggest factor,” he said.
According to the Washington State Employment Security Department, the unemployment rate in Bellingham was at 9.5 percent in March.
Although the statistics show a slight decrease from February, when it was up at 9.9 percent, there are still over 10,000 people who are currently unemployed.
Those who can't quite make ends meet come to the Hope House for clothing, blankets, sanitary supplies, various household items, and emergency food and financial aid.
Staff and visitors notice increase
Last year there were increases in all of the items given out, particularly in hygiene supplies, which increased by 31 percent, and diapers, which increased by 26 percent, according to Program Manager Cheri Woolsey.
Clients have noticed the upswing in visitors. The waiting room is much busier than it was nine years ago said Georgina Davis, who regularly frequents the center.
“I've seen more people coming here,” she said.” I'm not used to crowds.”
But, unemployment is not the only factor behind the trend, Corrigan said. The increase in
visitors may also be due to the expansion of the center's homeless outreach programs, which help raise awareness about the services offered.
“We're making sure that people are aware of what we do,” he said.
Staff deals with demand
To keep up with the demand, the center expanded its hours of operation at the start of the year to include Wednesday afternoons.
Corrigan said the organization hopes to increase its hours even more this year, but that further expansion will depend on funding from donors.
The Hope House relies on grants from organizations like United Way, and donations of food and supplies from the community.
According to program manager Cheri Woolsey, the center generally receives enough donations to keep up with the increasing demand.
But, the supplies the center is able to provide are limited by its funding, and sometimes there are shortages, Woolsey said.
The center is not always able to provide clients with the specific supplies they need, but the staff members try to “patch it together”, according to Woolsey.
“If we run out of one thing, we'll have another;” she said. “We may not have their first choice, but we'll have something.”
Hope House has history of service
The Hope House was established 10 years ago by Woolsey and several other parishioners from Assumption Catholic Church.
Staffed by two paid workers and over 50 volunteers, the organization serves a variety of people, ranging from single parents to homeless people of all ages.
It is open on Mondays,Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 4 to 5:30 p.m..
The center is currently in need of food and back-packs. Regular updates about its specific needs are posted on the organization's website, www.hopehouse.org
The Hope House is located at 207 Kentucky Street, and can be reached at (360) 676-2164.
The organization, which provides assistance with food and everyday items to those in need, saw a 46 percent increase in overall services in 2009, a trend that is expected to continue this year say staff.
According to Assistant Program Manager Philip Corrigan, roughly 20 percent of the daily clients he sees are new to the center.
“I'm pretty sure the economy has been the biggest factor,” he said.
According to the Washington State Employment Security Department, the unemployment rate in Bellingham was at 9.5 percent in March.
Although the statistics show a slight decrease from February, when it was up at 9.9 percent, there are still over 10,000 people who are currently unemployed.
Those who can't quite make ends meet come to the Hope House for clothing, blankets, sanitary supplies, various household items, and emergency food and financial aid.
Staff and visitors notice increase
Last year there were increases in all of the items given out, particularly in hygiene supplies, which increased by 31 percent, and diapers, which increased by 26 percent, according to Program Manager Cheri Woolsey.
Clients have noticed the upswing in visitors. The waiting room is much busier than it was nine years ago said Georgina Davis, who regularly frequents the center.
“I've seen more people coming here,” she said.” I'm not used to crowds.”
But, unemployment is not the only factor behind the trend, Corrigan said. The increase in
visitors may also be due to the expansion of the center's homeless outreach programs, which help raise awareness about the services offered.
“We're making sure that people are aware of what we do,” he said.
Staff deals with demand
To keep up with the demand, the center expanded its hours of operation at the start of the year to include Wednesday afternoons.
Corrigan said the organization hopes to increase its hours even more this year, but that further expansion will depend on funding from donors.
The Hope House relies on grants from organizations like United Way, and donations of food and supplies from the community.
According to program manager Cheri Woolsey, the center generally receives enough donations to keep up with the increasing demand.
But, the supplies the center is able to provide are limited by its funding, and sometimes there are shortages, Woolsey said.
The center is not always able to provide clients with the specific supplies they need, but the staff members try to “patch it together”, according to Woolsey.
“If we run out of one thing, we'll have another;” she said. “We may not have their first choice, but we'll have something.”
Hope House has history of service
The Hope House was established 10 years ago by Woolsey and several other parishioners from Assumption Catholic Church.
Staffed by two paid workers and over 50 volunteers, the organization serves a variety of people, ranging from single parents to homeless people of all ages.
It is open on Mondays,Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 4 to 5:30 p.m..
The center is currently in need of food and back-packs. Regular updates about its specific needs are posted on the organization's website, www.hopehouse.org
The Hope House is located at 207 Kentucky Street, and can be reached at (360) 676-2164.
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