Cherry Street Mission appeals for assistance

With an unseasonable surge in requests for food and shelter, Cherry Street Mission Ministries is requesting the community’s help.

Cherry Street, which is open seven days a week, is seeking donations of money and food as well as basic hygiene items and toilet paper.

Dan Rogers, president and chief executive, said the mission took in 166 men and 90 women and served an average of 816 meals daily in September. That is up from 142 men, 73 women, and an average of 652 daily meals in September, 2010.

“While an increase in numbers is expected during the extreme weather months, we do not usually see such a dramatic increase so high or so early,” Mr. Rogers said.

Go to cherrystreetmission.org to donate online or see a list of items the shelter needs.