Back Bay Mission sees increase in people at risk of homelessness

Back Bay Mission desperately needs volunteers to keep up with the need in the community. In just under a year, the number of people Back Bay Mission offers services to has doubled.

“We were seeing about 300 individuals and families for the food pantry, and now it’s up to 550,” said Dhiana Skrmetti, director of development. “I think we’re going to get really close to 600 soon. So, the need for food and volunteers is great. It’s just increasing more and more.”

That number doesn’t even include spouses and children that the food pantry also helps feed. 

Back Bay officials say half of the increase is newly unsheltered people and the other half is families trying to make ends meet.

 “A lot of families are just on the verge of homelessness,” explained Skrmetti. “We do a lot of homeless prevention here. So, we’re serving them and their needs and our unsheltered guests.”

Harriet Mitchell has been a volunteer for nearly a decade. She tells us that the homeless population has steadily grown over the years.

“There are a lot more people coming in,” Mitchel said. “I have a cousin who says ‘Homeless is real’. Homelessness is real and the numbers are growing. Volunteering here at Back Bay Mission, we need all the volunteers we can get because like today – it was a very heavy day.”

Volunteers serve an important role as a direct line of defense in preventing and ending homelessness. 

“We’re just trying to take care of one another as God calls us to,” said Skrmetti.

If you would like to volunteer, visit thebackbaymisson.org.