With companies closing and workers losing jobs, charities must work overtime to meet the growing needs. The down economy causes new challenges for groups working to reach out to others. Many charities are seeing a decrease in giving. This means extra work for non-profits who want to make sure families and children in need at least have presents under the tree.
Sunday, leaders at the
Salvation Army unloaded bicycles that donors are offering for children this year. The problem is the need is up, but donations are down. "I was at the mall a little while ago and a gentleman brought his packages for his angel and said this year we could only do one angel, last year we did four."
In November, the Salvation Army joined forces with the Clinton Foundation and collected 2000 coats for families in need. Churches are also reaching out.
Second Baptist in Little Rock started its own Angle Tree program to assist members and the community.
"We anticipated there would be an increase but we didn't anticipate 15 percent so we've got at least 15 percent more asking for assistance this year," Rhonda Fontonette with the 2
nd Baptist Church said.
They are committed to serve them all. "For a lot of our members, this is their only family." Second Baptist says they're actually able to help more people this year because church members and sponsors have increased their giving.
The Salvation Army is hoping the same will happen for them. Out of 10,000 applicants 8,000 are still waiting for help.
Organizers say they will still make sure applicants get help even if it means the Salvation Army has to go into its own funds and purchase items at the market rate. But since they serve people in need year round, organizers say donations are crucial right now.
