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CHARLOTTE – Social Service officials hope a six-day work week will help them handle an increased number of clients.

Mecklenburg County DSS says, due to the burden of a bad economy, they’re seeing nearly 40 percent more food stamp applications. Saturday, the organization began its weekend service hours at two locations in Charlotte: the Wallace Kuralt Centre and Chapin Hall at the Valerie Woodard Center.

“Massive amounts of people were here,” said Yolanda Sumpter, a CMS teacher who said coming down to apply for food stamps was a tough thing to do. “I’m still kinda on the fence.”

Since July 2008, Mecklenburg County has seen food stamp applications increase 38 percent. Meanwhile, employment assistance applications are up 32 percent, and Medicaid applications are up 10 percent.

"There are lots of people who are in need of assistance with food,” summed up Meg Downs, Social Services manager.

DSS officials say, just in the first 30 minutes of being open Saturday, they served 85 people at the Billingsley Road center. They say 75 clients in the first 30 minutes at the Freedom Drive location.

DSS expects the extra hours to increase accessibility of services by 10 percent. Downs says it’s up to the social agency to be flexible and convenient for the public.

“That's our purpose -- we're here to help our community.”