The economic problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic have increased the number of people seeking assistance this holiday season, according to local nonprofits.
Nationwide, more than half of charitable organizations are expecting to raise less money in 2020 than they did last year, and a majority said they expect the trend to continue into 2021, according to a survey by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
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Fewer resources doesn't stop the demand, however – or the desire to meet it.
At the Catholic Parish Outreach food pantry in Raleigh, cars began lining up at 8 a.m. Wednesday, an hour before the pantry opened, to receive holiday meals and other food.
"We actually have cars that are pulling up and saying, 'Not only am I here, but I realize my neighbor is a shut-in. She’s a senior citizen and doesn’t have anyone to help her out. Can I get food for her?'" said Kelly Rippl, program director at the food pantry. "The answer has been yes."
"Sometimes, we get to the end [of the line] and it’s time for us to be close to being done, and someone will come in," volunteer Patricia Eckstein said. "We still serve them until whatever time we finish."
Rippl said many people have lost jobs during the pandemic, and demand for assistance is up 50 percent from a year ago. The pantry sees close to 200 cars per day.
“They’ll actually tell us stories about how they have lost their jobs and they haven’t been able to work because of COVID," she said. "They’re having issues paying their rent. They’re worried about if they’re going to be evicted. They don’t have enough to feed their families. It’s just an across-the-board issue that they just don’t have enough money to do anything. They have no income coming in."
Catholic Parish Outreach has been able to keep up with the demand over the holidays because of people's generosity, she said.
"I think they’re looking at the situation of, there but for the grace of God I go," she said. "It could very easily be themselves that are experiencing this because this is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I don’t think anybody saw this coming."
However, when the pandemic is over the need will not be. That’s when donations will be especially needed, Rippl said.
"These cars are going to be here for quite some time," she said. "This is something that’s going to be taking years for them to be able to recover from because they are going to have to worry about living situations [and] jobs.
"Some of those jobs are not going to come back, and now they’re going to have to actually try to get a job in a different field," she added. "So, it’s not going to go away. This is going to be a problem for quite some time."
The pantry is closed the rest of this week but will be handing out food again 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 28 and Dec. 30.
(Horario de Día Festivos para Distribución de Comida: Lunes 28 de Diciembre y Miércoles 30 de Diciembre, de 10 a.m. a 1 p.m.)
Meanwhile, masked volunteers were out before 5 a.m. in Durham, grilling and slicing 140 hams and 200 turkeys, warming up corn and green beans, cooking dressing and gravy and preparing desserts at the Durham Rescue Mission.
The dozens of volunteers were working outdoors in the dark in 30-degree weather to maintain social distancing while trying to help make the holidays brighter for local families.
The mission planned to serve Christmas meals to Durham families in need and pass out toys in a drive-thru toy giveaway.
As with the Raleigh food pantry, cars of families lined up early – some were there by 6 a.m. – to get the food and toys.
In previous years, the community has gathered for a group dinner, but a drive-thru-style event is being used during the pandemic.
Other events Christmas week include a Thursday brunch with gifts for women and children and a gift distribution and pizza party for homeless men at the Durham Rescue Mission.
Stewardship officer Ernie Mills, Jr. said he is expecting 2,000 children to stop by for toys.
The mission delivered more than 1,300 meals to families on Thanksgiving.