HERRIN (WSIL) -- A sign of progress in the area's high demand for food for those in need.
The Herrin House of Hope is starting to see a slight decrease in the need for meals, going from a 400% uptick to 300%.
"We actually served this week 2,030 meals. Now, that for us is still three times what we normally serve during the week, but after doing this for so long, it almost seems like a little bit of a break honestly," said Herrin House of Hope founder Troy Benitone.
When the shut down order started, meals were also available on Saturdays, but now that's ending.
"So we're going to keep doing Monday through Friday service, 11 to 1. We're still going to let people have two meals for the day, what we call a "heavy meal" and a "light meal" and we'll continue that service at least throughout the month of May," said Benitone.
Volunteers say there many reasons for the drop in customers.
"A lot of people are receiving financial assistance, which has been great to help them with the bills and it's just great that a lot of people are going to the local restaurants to give them business and to keep them going," said Herrin House of Hope director John Steve.
Troy Benitone says the organization still needs plenty of help.
"We also have opportunities if you're a chef or cook and you want to do some relief cook, you can let me know as well and contact us. But we also need financial donations," he said.
They are hoping the cafeteria will be open for dine-in soon.
"Everybody comes in, they pick up their bag and out they go and we actually miss them," said Benitone.
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