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Big Turnout for Easter Activities A Sign of the Times at Great Falls Rescue Mission

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Apr 10, 2009 at 9:34 PM MST

Story Updated: Apr 10, 2009 at 9:34 PM MST

It's an annual event at the Great Falls Rescue Mission, but this year it was on a much larger scale.

"Last year we had 74, we'll probably be over 300 this year," said Mission Director Eric Burger. "That is a major increase."

Burger says the record turnout for the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Good Friday Dinner is part of a bigger trend they see daily at the mission, as more people are struggling during the recession. He says housing numbers have remained steady at about 80 people per night at the Mission, but demand for other services is skyrocketing.

"We've seen a major increase in the things we're doing for what I call the working poor," said Burger. "We're feeding more people . We also have more people coming for our dental and medical assistance."

Burger says demand usually drops every spring as the weather improves, but this year it has continued to grow. He says job losses have been minimal in the area, but the recession is still having an affect on Great Falls. He says the size of donations has been scaled back, but a record number of people are now giving.

"Some of those larger gifts have maybe receded a little bit because of the economy, but more people are giving 25$ donations than ever," said Burger. "Even though donations are down, more people are giving than have ever given to the Mission before."







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