Local Charities in North Florida Hit Hard by Bad Economic Times

As the Christmas season approaches, local charities are always called upon for more assistance. People in the community always give more during the holidays, because they are in the giving spirit. We might not give on any other time of the year, but the Yuletide spirit increases donations to charities. However this year, due to difficult economic times, charities are being hurt.

Just when people need the most help, they are finding that local charities are being hit hard. Everything from churches, to food banks to the salvation army are filling the pinch this year. Here are some examples of how they have been affected during the 2008 holiday season .

I am a yearly giver to the local food pantry here in Baker County, which is a small community outside of Jacksonville, Florida. My family chooses every year to donate extra food for their food baskets. On my recent trip there, the director asked if I could spread the word about their lack of food this season. She is hoping to receive more donations. She stated that, requests for help are up, but donations are down.

I work in a small county, south of Jacksonville, called Union County. The local paper, The Union County Telegraph, in the December 12th edition of the paper, had an article stating that local food pantries in Union county are suffering. Union County is a poor rural community, and requests for assistance are always higher there than in other local counties. The Union County times stated that they had seen a drop of 30 percent in food donations within the last couple of months.

Years ago, I was employed at a local agency called Northeast Florida Community Agency, The agency is sort of like a catch all for any needs that poor families might have. One thing the agency does, is distribute toys and food over the holiday season. They really heavily on local businesses to donate, as well as local community members. Recently, I spoke with the previous manager, Daniel Gibbs, who still volunteers there. He stated that the agency is in serious trouble as far as donations are concerned., They are having a difficult time coming up with enough cash and donations to fulfills the increased demand for food and toys.

And of course we are all familiar with the Salvation Army. Bell ringers are as much a fixture of the Christmas season as the town Christmas tree. Our local community has a bell ringer, whom I know personally. I asked him how donations were, and he stated, they were down tremendously. He said he would guess he was getting as much as half less this year as compare to years in the past. I shop frequently at the Salvation Army store near my daughters school in Jacksonville, so I furthered my research by asking their manager, Ron Westphall, how donations were. He stated that large items, like furniture were still being donated, but small items such as food were down from last year. A recent article

An article on an internet news business site, collaborates the decreased giving that charities are seeing this year. They state that, not only are companies hurting, but charities are as well. In addition, the demands for assistance are increasing. So what is the answer to all of this? Just when help is needed the most, it can't be found.

In addition, my son has a friend who is in the United States Marines. As most people now, they do Toys for Tots every year. Our friend stated that this was the first year in many years that the Marine's will not be able to give toys to all of the children on their list. If they do supply toys, it will have to be less per child. But I'm sure that a couple of gifts would still be appreciated. It is a shame though, when dollar stores have nice, inexpensive presents, that people can't or won't buy toys for children.

I'm not sure the answer is so clear. People are saving their money for fear of even worse times ahead, and I have to admit that I am just as guilty. But panic could full the economic crisis even further. This is where faith comes into play, that if we do the right thing, everything will work out. This is where churches come into play. They should pitch in and pick up the slack this year. In addition, families will have to help each other more. Remember the extended family? Maybe it is time that grandma, and great aunt helped out those in their own family. Until charities get back on their feet, this might be the best solution. Maybe learning to cut back on what we have, and depend on each other won't be such a bad thing after all.