ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 The Samaritan Resource Center says it is feeling \u201cdesperate\u201d as it works to end homelessness in Orange County, pointing to demand that leaders say is outpacing available resources.<\/p>\n
Executive Director Zeyne Portwiy said the organization is housing more people than ever, but the need keeps growing. \u201cThe demand that\u2019s coming in is much higher than what we can do,\u201d Portwiy said.<\/p>\n
The comments came Thursday in Orlando as the center held another public town hall, part of an effort leaders said has continued for close to two years to keep the community informed about the growing need to serve people without housing and others struggling to get by.<\/p>\n
Several speakers shared personal stories during the meeting, including one person who said, \u201cI am still homeless.\u201d She says this has been since 2005. Another attendee who works for a non-profit described living on the edge financially, saying they are \u201cliving check to check\u201d and feel \u201cjust a check away\u201d from being in the same situation as people they work with every day.<\/p>\n
Rev. Dr. Joy Davis, who runs Spirit of Joy Ministries and partners with the Samaritan Resource Center to provide services like a food pantry, described the strain on nonprofit groups trying to keep services going in extreme heat. \u201cStaying afloat means I have to beg for volunteers,\u201d Davis said, describing trips to pick up food and bring it back in a heat index around 105 degrees.<\/p>\n
The center also shared a snapshot of its recent workload. Leaders said that in June alone, they served close to 800 people experiencing homelessness, including more than 100 children. They said they also helped six people find jobs.<\/p>\n
Portwiy urged the community to look for practical ways to help, including housing options. \u201cIf you have a spare bedroom you wanna rent it out, we have people we can put into them without charging 900 dollars for a bed,\u201d Portwiy said.<\/p>\n
Members of the faith-based community who attended the town hall said another way to help is to contact elected officials and push for more solutions. Local pastor Jose Rodriguez said homelessness should be seen as something that can affect anyone. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an everyday person problem and we don\u2019t recognize homelessness as an everyday person problem,\u201d Rodriguez said.<\/p>\n
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