Hilton Head fallout: White-collar workers seek charity help

Liz Mitchell | Island Packet

In 2008, local charities saw the faces of the needy change.

Residents who normally wouldn't need help suddenly found themselves with fewer hours at work or no job at all.

The recession brought construction workers, Realtors and young professionals to the doors of the Deep Well Project on Hilton Head Island and Bluffton Self Help in old town Bluffton.

As a result, Deep Well provided more than 62,000 meals last year, compared to 50,000 the year before. It also helped more than 600 families pay rent and utility bills -- about 100 more than in 2007.

Bluffton Self Help provided similar financial support to 656 families, which was 240 more than in 2007, said executive director Jenny Haney.

"We've also had to turn people flat down because there are some people in Bluffton that just choose not to work or choose to live" in government-assisted housing, Haney said.

Read the complete story at islandpacket.com

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