FRISCO — It's estimated that 270,000 North Texans are unemployed. The problem is evident since unemployment has risen steadily for the past few months.

Many of those jobless workers are seeking help from social service agencies for the very first time — even in affluent suburbs like Frisco. For them, it's an emotional and often traumatic experience.

Bethany Sollenberger lost her job doing marketing for a Plano dental practice. In addition to caring for her own children, she has taken in her sister's kids — she lost her job and her home.

"I have a college degree and I had a great job," Sollenberger said. "I was looking to purchase a new house when I lost my job."

Sollenberger had a tough time making ends meet, so she went to Frisco Family Services Center.

"That was really hard for me. I wanted to be out here volunteering and helping out," she said. "Instead, I had to come here and sign up for help."

Sollenberger is among a growing number of people seeking help from a social service agency for the first time. More than half of those who come to the Frisco agency are just like her.

"They've now gone through all of their savings and then some; have borrowed from friends and family; and have nowhere else to turn," said Jill Cumnock, executive director of the FFSC. "Now they're turning to us to feed their families, keep their utilities on and prevent them from losing their homes."

Frisco Family Services Center provides food and other assistance for 1,800 families. That adds up to about 6,000 people, an incredibly high number for a suburban community perceived as being affluent.

Nicole Bursey the director of client services at the center, said some people have a difficult time accepting their new fate.

"What we're hearing is: 'Wow, I can't believe I'm in this situation. I've worked hard all my life.'"

Without the agency, Sollenberger said she doesn't know where she would have found a helping hand.

E-mail sstoler@wfaa.com