Statistics

Who is served by the Salem Mission?

Harvest of Hope

Food Pantry
The majority of the 1600 families, single mothers and working parents who come to the food pantry depend on the Mission to provide food for their children. About 88% of the people who use our Food pantry are Salem residents. Many depend on the Mission’s resources to keep their housing, because they cannot afford to eat and pay rent.

Break Bread Together

Community Meals
Over 90% of the 9,000 + meals served every month (that is an average of more than 300 meals every day) are served to Salem residents and to many in the neighborhood or at least within walking distance.

Shelter Services

Over 50% of the shelter residents are from Salem. We are a dry shelter so do not accept those who are actively drinking. We house homeless individuals with alcohol and drug problems who are making efforts to deal with their disease. We support them in their recovery.

Some of our residents work, but many suffer from some form of mental illness. Many don't qualify for a group home and none can afford housing on disability income.

Others are waiting to make their way through the long and complex process of obtaining mental health services and applying for SSI. We provide assistance with these and other issues through case management services.

We calculated a few years ago that 20% of the population of Salem received some service at least once during the year from the Salem Mission.