HAMPTON -- Two straight weekends of snow and ice have caused hardship not just on businesses, but on houses of worship as well.
Hundreds of Sunday services have had to be cancelled, meaning fewer dollars in collection plates to help cover operating costs, outreach programs and more.
"We have higher oil and heating bills this time of year. We have payrolls we have to meet and all of our normal expenses, whether we have money or not," says Martha Bradley, the treasurer for Emmaus Baptist Church in Poquoson, who figures they've lost about $12,600 these last two weeks.
The faithful have hope, though.
"Probably about 70 percent or more is regular tithes versus offerings and we're in the faith business, so we believe that our tithers wil lmake up for missing the two weeks. The other 25-30 percent -- who knows," said Pastor Kevin Schrum with Buckroe Baptist Church.
