Nonprofit agencies find it tough to meet growing needs

Like most economic news of the day, the statistics are gloomy.

A 59 percent increase in people served by area food pantries, and a 20 percent drop in national food supplies. Nearly 270 school-age children homeless in Champaign County, even as day-care centers report vacancies because families can't afford to pay. More than 100 homeless women turned away from a local shelter, with demand up 50 percent over a year ago.

Even as the economy worsens, driving more families into crisis, nonprofit agencies find themselves unable to meet the need.

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