2 days ago
Oasis Social Ministry could close down; monetary donations tanking
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Desperation is looming among the growing homeless population in Hampton Roads as they struggle to find shelter and their next meal, and the problem is only worsening.
Meanwhile, a prominent place of feeding in Hampton Roads is on edge as their resources dwindle. Oasis Social Ministry has been feeding the homeless community in Portsmouth and beyond for 54 years, but will it make it to 55?
That question remains as the food pantry's executive director, Cathy Davis says they are currently down by 67 percent on monetary donations and have been tanking since February.
'We're looking at are we still going to have our doors open in six months,' she says.
The need is undeniably high. Just last month, it's staff of six rolled out 25,000 meals.
'Our homeless numbers are up by 18 percent over two years ago,' says Davis. 'With all the budget rollbacks and cutbacks for the federal funding for USDA feeding programs, SNAP programs, Medicaid programs. But the economic uncertainty with rent prices going up, grocery prices going up, it has created a perfect storm of uncertainty.'
Lack of affordable housing, systemic poverty, mental health and addiction, unemployment, and eviction are all driving the numbers, according to the Southeastern Virginia Homeless Coalition.
In the state, the SVHC also reports homelessness to have climbed by 15 percent between 2021 and 2023. The data shows Portsmouth to hold one of the highest per capita homeless populations.
'I have consistent daily, multiple times a day, people coming and asking for shelter,' she says. Where did they go for shelter? Who they call for shelter. We have seen what we call our unique visit. So first time visitors ever to a food pantry are up by 50 percent. So those are almost 250 folks a month that are coming to us that have never had to go to a food pantry before in their life.'It's executive director Cathy Davis says — last month the pantry served 25-thousand meals.
Oasis Social Ministry receives no city, state or federal funding. However, it does participate in federal food programs like the Commodity Supplemental Feeding Program, which just lost $1.2 billion to funding cuts.
To donate to Oasis Social Ministry, click .
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