PLANO - Collin County is known for its wealth. It includes Plano, which is the richest city in America based on average income.
But, there is a growing number of people considered "the new needy," who are asking for help for the very first time.
Cathy Slaymaker and her two children are among those seeking help. Slaymaker lost her job as a property manager and is now living at the Samaritan Inn homeless shelter in McKinney.
"There are so many things that you find out that you may have taken for granted," she said. "And all of a sudden it's staring at you when you wonder, 'What am I going to do? Where am I going to go?"
The Samaritan Inn is full and turning people away. There are 140 people spending nights there, one-third of which are children.
"We've seen people who were regular monthly donors to the Samaritan Inn who are now seeking shelter here," said Executive Director Lynne Sipiora. "It's a whole new deal."
St. Andrew United Methodist Church started Seven Loaves, the first food pantry on Plano's west side. The idea was to help feed about 100 people. Last week, they gave out food to 330 people.
"It's just become more noticeable because the people coming and needing the help are folks who never thought they would be in this position in their whole lives," said Rev. Janet Collinsworth, who oversees missions and outreach at the Plano Church.
Pantry organizers said some of the people coming in have lost nearly everything. Collinsworth said they ask tough questions when they come in: "I don't even know where to start. I never thought I would lose my home, car, job and have no savings, and I don't know what to do."
Catholic Charities of Dallas is also recognizing the growing problem in Collin County. Organization leaders are planning on opening a help center.
And while the need is growing, so is the response from the community by providing dollars and goods to feed the hungry and house the homeless.
E-mail sstoler@wfaa.com
