KING COUNTY, Wash. -- The tightening of the county's belt could mean leaner times for the poor.

Facing a $93 million budget gap, the county is considering increasing the licensing fee for soup kitchens.

At the Union Gospel Mission in Seattle, dinner is in high demand almost every night. Dozens of people line up hours ahead of time for a hot meal.

And for many, the Mission has given them more than just dinner. Frank Schnitzler says the place has added stability to his life.

"I was sleeping under a bridge and receiving my meals from various different sources, all the way from places such as this, all the way to a trash can," he said.

But a budget deficit has the county looking to ladle up extra dollars from soup kitchens, schools and other nonprofit food programs by charging them higher permit fees.

King County collect fees to license some 10,000 food service establishments. Nonprofit groups like the Mission pay a subsidized rate, which is currently $151 per year. If higher fees are approved, costs could more than double and climb to $350 per year. The higher the fee, the Mission says, the fewer meals it can afford to serve.

"Every dollar that we have to pay to the city or the county for any other additional fees, it just means one less meal that we're able to provide for the people that are coming off the streets," said Terry Pallas of the Mission.

Food is the main reason many visit the Mission, and the need is great. Throughout the week, dozens of people line up at the Mission's outdoor meal site. They say this program makes all the difference.

"These guys do what they do on the cheap. It's all volunteers. It's all church groups and things," said Terry Smith, who receives free meals at the Mission.

County leaders are aware of these concerns. Their alternative options include reducing costs by requiring fewer health inspections or by allowing some vendors operate without a license.

The county will make its final decision next month. Whatever the case, Schnitzler said Union Gospel Mission will remain wise in their spending, whatever its budget.

"It seems like they are very responsible. And if it was my money, I'd give it to them," he said.