The Syracuse Rescue Mission has laid off 21 employees. 

Spectrum News has learned this comes after the pandemic forced Thrifty Shopper stores to close down for two and a half months.

Chief Development Officer at the Rescue Mission, Tori Shires, says the stores make up 60 percent of annual operating funds.

The Rescue Mission received PPP to help cover costs during the pandemic.

Shires says eliminating the positions was a difficult decision, but it had to be done to keep programs going.