Economists may say we're coming out of the recession, but that doesn't ring true to local non-profits and people without work.

"Everybody's hearing about the leading economic indicators -- everything's getting better economically," says Richard Bray, who directs donor and community relations at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Seattle/King County. "We're not seeing that when it comes to the average person."

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

Tom Kobayashi (right), who is 93, walks at the Friends of the Poor Walk last year, with Paul and Nicki Tran at left.

Calls for assistance last month were up 60 percent over last year, hitting an all time record of 411 calls on Sept 14, he said. The 2-1-1 community information line has referred 18,000 calls to the charity so far this year. The number of people seeking food at the Georgetown food bank doubled from last year, to 8,000 each month.

Another troubling trend has emerged -- the charity has noticed a jump in domestic violence cases -- only 1 percent of the cases it manages in a long range assistance program were related to domestic violence a year ago, but in the last month that number has grown to 10 percent.

The problem stems from economic difficulties, Bray said. "People are out of work, they're stressing out and unfortunately taking it out on some of the ones closest to them."

Joining the ranks of the poor now are former professionals who worked all their lives and were doing well before the recession, he said.

To raise money and awareness about local people in need, the charity will host its second annual "Friends of the Poor Walk" tomorrow from 9 to noon at John F. Kennedy High School in Burien. Other walks are planned in 150 cities nationwide, including Tacoma, Everett and Sequim. Details are here.

"The theme is walk a mile in my shoes, to reflect and think about someone who's going through hard times," Bray said.

Last year, one participant covered 50 laps on the school track, but the standout was Tom Kobayashi, who participated at age 92, and plans to walk again this year.

Kobayashi, of Seattle, is the longest serving St. Vincent de Paul volunteer in the nation. A Japanese American who was forced into an internment camp as a child during World War II, Kobayashi has spent the last 73 years as a member and leader of the charity, making weekly home visits to people who are struggling.

"If he can do it, anyone can," Bray said.