Among the many handwritten notes tacked on a bulletin board at the Denver Rescue Mission, one reads: “To Dusty Kidd, Call mom ASAP.”
The note, like many others crowding the board, is one the author hopes will reach a loved one who is visiting the shelter.
Since 2009, Denver Rescue has seen 74,349 more people staying at least a night in one of its four facilities, and, as with the bulletin board, precious space has become limited.
“We are seeing more and more people who need our help, not just when it is cold out, not just around the holidays, but all the time now,” said Alexxa Gagner, spokeswoman for Denver Rescue.
Yet, as the shelter tries to help more people than ever, data show donations have declined significantly.
One of the new visitors at the shelter on a recent day was Warren Rey nolds. While eating dinner with his Bible close to his tray, Reynolds, 22, said he was grateful for a hot meal.
“I just know it will be here for me,” Reynolds said.
Although food supplies are not alarmingly low, items classified as “gifts in kind,” which include clothes, have greatly diminished.
Denver Rescue chief executive Brad Meuli said competition has a lot to do with the downturn in donations and resources.
“We believe we are getting less because of other outlets that have far-reaching capabilities, such as Goodwill and Arc,” Meuli said.
Last year, 141 tons of clothes were distributed from the mission, down from 185 tons in 2010 and 196 tons in 2009.
The decline in donations, given the economy and competition, was not shocking to officials, but a drop-off in meals served was surprising to them.
The 609,863 meals served last year marked an 8 percent decrease from 2010’s 659,854 and a 12 percent decrease from 2009, when 691,502 meals were distributed.
Gary Patrick, 46, said he greatly appreciated what the shelter offers him but thinks people using the facility should realize it is not a crutch.
“I don’t waste my time here. I am happy for the help, and I use the resources while I look for work so I can get out of here,” Patrick said.
That mentality is one Gagner said is always reaffirming to see.
“We will do all we can to help, but we want people to strive to make that change so they don’t need us because they have found a successful path,” she said.
