Nonprofit reports 35% uptick in those seeking food assistance

A Council of Churches of the Ozarks service agency reporters a 35 percent increase this year in people seeking food assistance.

The increase means Crosslines of Springfield is serving an average 162 people per day in Greene County, up from an average of 122 people per day in the same time period of 2012, according to a news release. Half of the organization's current clients are children.

“Many families are struggling in our community. Our agencies are seeing increases across the board in hunger, homelessness, and child abuse and neglect,” said Mark Struckhoff, executive director of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks, in the release.

The Crosslines food pantry expects to serve some 50,000 people in 2013. New families seeking assistance are up 12 percent from 2012, according to the nonprofit.

With the influx, Crosslines is seeking community assistance, in the form of monetary and in-kind donations. The 44-year-old agency operates at 615 N. Glenstone Ave.[[In-content Ad]]