More than nine months into the coronavirus pandemic, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Daviess County has seen an increase of 35% to 40% in the number of people seeking help with rent and utilities.
âWeâre seeing folks weâve never seen before,â Richard Remp-Morris, the agencyâs CEO, said Tuesday. âTheyâre depleting their savings, going into their 401(k)s, selling things. Theyâre desperate, trying to decide whether to pay rent, pay utilities or buy food.â
So a recent grant of $12,500 from the Green River Area Community Foundation through the United Way of the Ohio Valley was a âreal blessing,â he said. âWe desperately need it.â