Dec 25, 2008 2:35 pm US/Eastern
Christmas Low: Homelessness In NYC At Record High
More Than 9,700 Families In Shelter, Up 40 Percent From Last Year
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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There were more than 9,700 families in New York City shelters on Christmas morning, up 40 percent from last year and the most ever since data began being recorded.
AP
If you're warm and comfortable this Christmas morning, consider yourself lucky. There are thousands of people in our area who aren't so fortunate, and according to the latest figures, their numbers are growing to a record high.
The annual New York Cares Coat Drive was being held Christmas morning on Lafayette Street in lower Manhattan, but it comes on a day where staggering numbers show a record number of homeless families living in city shelters.
There were more than 9,700 families in New York City shelters on Christmas morning, up 40 percent from last year and the most ever since data began being recorded. Many blame the financial downturn and a harsh start to the winter.
"We're in a recession and everything is closing up, everybody is losing jobs. I was looking at the news the other night and they were talking about the families that are homeless now, we're not talking about the individuals no more," said Michael Kimber, supervisor of a city shelter. "It's more families being homeless now from not having jobs."
Hundreds of coats were distributed at the New York City Rescue Mission on Thursday morning. Sandra Clark couldn't believe the gorgeous coat she was getting.
Sandra Clark couldn't believe the gorgeous coat she was getting.
"Very warm! And I've got a fur lining, you can't beat that," she told CBS 2.
The line extended outside the New York City Rescue Mission because this year the need is greater than ever before: Because of the economic downtown and the harsh weather, New York Cares is running about 8,000 coats short this year and that's why they've extended the time you can make a donation.
"Agencies apply to us to get coats and we're seeing about a 10 percent increase in the number of requests we're getting for coats. Sadly we also got a ten percent decrease in the number of coats we're collecting," said Gary Bagley, executive director of the program.
Now there's a nine-day extension on coat donations. Anyone can donate their coat until January 9 at two locations: Penn Station on the LIRR level and at the Pond at Bryant Park.
The need is greatest for extra-large men's coats.
"If they can spare another coat I would surely like one because it would keep me warm for the winter, and I'd really appreciate it, appreciate it so much," said Ron Walbrook, a homeless New Yorker. "This is the first time they've had my size."
New York Cares collects and distributes more than 80,000 winter coats each year. The New York City Rescue Mission is the city's oldest, established in 1872.
"Some of these guys have no other resources but this shelter," said Kwesi Sandiford, a coat distribution worker. "New York City has reached out to the community through these coat drives that we have here and it has helped a lot."
You can still donate a coat through Jan. 9 at the usual New York Cares donation spots, including any police precinct within the five boroughs.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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