By Delivrine Registre - bio | email
November 8, 2008
ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Christopher Clemons is the Head Cook at the Albany Rescue Mission and says he is now working harder than ever. "We probably feed about 120, sometimes 130 people a day."
"We totaled it out. It used to be 7,000 a month, its now 75-hundred plus," said Albany Rescue Mission Founder, Brother Larry Hample. Numbers that only continue to go up with higher unemployment figures. "In the last couple of years, we have seen an increase not only because of the homeless situation, but the economy."
Clemons knows the food he cooks and serves is the only way some of these people are able to eat. "I believe this is the only three meals they get a day," said Clemons.
"We don't card them or ID them. If they are hungry they come and eat," said Hample. Hample says the numbers show a good portion of the people who eat have jobs, but don't make enough. "Four or five days after pay day, our numbers go back up especially at the end of the month," said Hample.
The rescue mission doesn't just feed those in need, but will do anything they can to get people back on their feet. "We have kids that come here. Just like the sack we just made, whatever they need we provide it for them," said Clemons.
But feeding and providing for them all is starting to take its toll on the rescue mission. "We've increased serving three meals a day, 365 days a year to the public. So we are feeding more public than we are our people," said Hample.
Regardless of how many more, Clemons says he will do what he can. "I've been blessed because I am in a position to feed folks." Because he knows how hard it is to be on the other side. You click here to help the Albany Rescue Mission. You can also call 229-435-7615.
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