FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana’s NewsCenter) – One organization has seen a significant increase due to the economy. Saint Mary’s soup kitchen has seen a 30% increase of hungry men and women.

Officials with Saint Mary’s say last month alone they fed 32,000 people; and that number continues to grow. The need is so great, the kitchen ran out of the 1,500 pints of soup before closing today.

“Keeping up is challenging,” said Saint Mary’s Pastoral Associate Tony Henry.

Volunteers packaged sandwiches so no one would go hungry. They say they see new faces come to the window.

An increase in middle class moms and working men ask for help. The increase in demand means in cases like today, bread can’t be served with the soup.

Officials say the working families ask for food because they need the money for other expenses.

“So they can pay their utility and rent,” said Henry. “By getting food here, our soup and our bread and our milk, they can spend the money they save on other necessary bills that are surfacing.”

Henry says it costs about 3,000 a week to keep the kitchen running.

To help Saint Mary’s makes their soup from scratch so you can donate bread, hams, or any food. Monetary donations are always welcome as well. Donations can be dropped off at Saint Mary’s.

If you need help or food you can visit the soup kitchen weekdays 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. till 1 p.m. or Sunday 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

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