kwch.com/lifestyle/charity/kwch-news-sba-rescue-mission-sees-high-numbers-this-fall-20121127,0,4300488.story
By Samantha Anderson
KWCH 12 Eyewitness News
7:59 PM CST, November 30, 2012
(SALINA, Kan.)
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Robert Zwelling likes to play cribbage, a game of luck and skill.
Professionally, Zwelling has skill, but he's struggling with luck.
"I was doing carpentry work and the work ran out and I ran out of funds," Zwelling said.
That's when the Air Force veteran turned to the Salina Rescue Mission.
"What a heart send to be able to have a place to stay," Zwelling said. "I had run out of work and these good people put me up and we have three meals a day."
Zwelling is one of about seventy men who live at the rescue mission. It's a number that has been increasing this fall.
"We have not seen this kind of response of need ever," Steve Kmetz of the Salina Rescue Mission said.
The number at the rescue mission peaked at 87 in October, much higher than their usual 55 to 60 people. The reason why isn't clear.
"The need is there," Kmetz said. "I am not sure what caused the need. I've visited with my board. I've visited with my staff. We understand that the economy is still not good."
The rescue mission is looking ahead, in case the numbers continue to grow.
"Everything is on the table," Kmetz said. " We don't know how to address this."
Some possibilities include reorganizing their current building, putting down mattresses for people to sleep on, or even possible expansion.
" We are here," Kmetz said."We don't plan on going away."
That is good for people, such as Zwelling, who are waiting for opportunities to improve.
"People in need come here and they have been helped," Zwelling said.
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