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Homeless shelters are struggling in the midst of inflation

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Homeless shelters and soup kitchens are increasingly in need of donations and volunteers. As demand is rising and so is inflation.

Officials from Midland’s Open Door shelter say the pandemic cost them volunteers, but financial assistance from the government helped to keep demand for shelters low.

“So, we primarily serve Midland County residents but in addition to providing shelter and food we also have case management both for guests that we serve as well as kind of an outreach program. “ said Jim Cross, the director of Midland's Open Door. He says the shelter is now seeing an increase in people seeking help, and a decrease in donations.

Cross says his facility is the only homeless shelter and soup kitchen in Midland County.

Kylie Sczepanski is a newsroom intern at WCMU.