'It kind of breaks my heart'

Donations may be down at the Upper Room Mission, but people are still getting the help they need.

Naomi Rouck, mission general manager, said donations are down in general, including the annual Blessing in a Backpack program.

“They are coming in slowly,” she said. “Our goal is to have 280. There are a lot of other places that are looking for things but we are reaching out far and wide to get the backpacks in.”

The backpack program encourages people to fill a backpack with basic items like socks, small notepads, pens, gloves, toques or other small items.

They will then be handed out at the mission's Christmas party Dec. 23.

“I have faith our goals will be met and we will be able to hand them out to those who need them,” said Rouck.

For many of the recipients, it could be the only gift they get all year.

But the backpack program is not the only area where donations are lagging.

Rouck said the mission has a regular group of donors, but overall things are slower.

“I have actually found donations are really down this year. I know everybody is struggling this time of year to look after their own needs and that is totally understandable,” she said. “But I know there are single families out there and seniors and people on the street who could use that little bit of extra help, it kind of breaks my heart.”

But that does not mean people are going without.

“I try to figure out ways to make things a little easier for everybody,” she said, adding it can be a challenge at times.

“We basically rely on cash donations to make the mission run and they are way, way down this year so it has been quite the struggle for us.”

But Rouck has faith that things will get better.

“I really know things will turn around for the mission and we will be in a better situation,” she said. “People always come by with what we need. I have a lot of faith in that.”

Backpacks and other donations can be dropped off at the mission, 3403 27 Ave., during regular business hours.