Cherry Street Mission

For Immediate Release

Date: August 22,2011

Contact:                                                                                            

Ashley Shaffer, Communications Coordinator                                                                       

Cherry Street Mission Ministries
419-460-1236 cell

 

Number of Women Seeking Shelter Hits High Point-98!

 

          TOLEDO (Ohio)- On August 26, 2010 Cherry Street Mission Ministries announced that it had a record number of women  --  83  -- that sought shelter; almost one year to the day, Friday, August 19, a new high point has been reached  -- 98; a 20% increase. Dan Rogers, president and CEO, attributes this increase to the economy, which many can testify has not rebounded in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.  The number of men seeking shelter, averaging 152 men per night, has not seen a dramatic increase over last year, but continues to be more than in years past.

            In 2009, Cherry Street's numbers began increasing by double digits and they have not dropped since. "Imagine nearly 100 guests showing up at your door to seek safe refuge." Mr. Rogers explains. Extra guests mean more meals, more laundry detergent, more cleaning supplies, more towels, and more personal hygiene products, all of which are provided free to our guests. "Being able to have the bare necessities of a bar of soap may seem like such a small thing, but it can provide comfort and the first step to life transformation to the woman or man who just left everything behind and is trying to start again," Mr. Rogers explained. Although extra guests are stretching the ministry's resources, Cherry Street Mission Ministries will never turn anyone away. " It's not in Cherry Street Mission Ministries DNA to turn people away. It goes against the core of our mission and existence," states Dan Rogers, president and CEO.  "The increase in ladies can be challenging at times, but we trust that God will provide the additional resources we need."

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         To help, visit cherrystreetmission.org to make an online donation or obtain a list of items the shelter needs to house and feed guests.  Financial donations can also be sent to Cherry Street Mission Ministries, 105 17th Street, Toledo, OH  43604, while non-food items can dropped off at the LifeBridge Center (the old Banner Mattress Warehouse), 3342 Monroe Street, Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. –  3 p.m. For more information, visit Cherry Street's website or call 419-242-5141.