DAYTON, Ohio — The increasing costs of food and housing have left many families turning to churches for help.
Stephanie Cremeans has eight kids, and she said it’s a struggle to keep up.
She said she lost her job, and she’s worried she won’t be able to pay the rent.
“The extra stress of you could be out of a home at any time and if we’re out of a home, we get no food stamps and (the) shelter has turned us away,” said Cremeans.
It’s the reason free food and clothes means everything to her family.
She was given enough food to feed her kids lunch and dinner, and enough clothes for them to each have something to wear.
“Right now, because I was able to do this today, I was able to put gas in the tank so I can get to the grocery store. It’s sad that it’s that strapped, but it really is,” said Cremeans.
Her family is one of the hundreds the East Dayton Fellowship Church is helping.
“We usually serve at least or around 200 meals—sometimes more than that,” said Pastor Zach Spidel.
Spidel said they’ve been giving out food and clothes for the last year and a half and the need has only grown.
“The need in our community is really big, one of the cool things about this ministry is that many of the people who started to come to get help now give the help,” said Spidel.
It’s the reason he said they’re going to keep giving and setting up shop at the church every Friday and help give families, like the Cremeans’, a break.
“I love things like this where I have that minute of some stress goes off,” said Cremeans.
If you need help, know someone who does, or would like to volunteer, click here to find the food/clothes giveaway schedule.
