Donations to charities that help needy local families are at a historic low this holiday season, and organizers are making a last-minute push to bring in cash and food before Christmas.
"Historically, this is the greatest demand we have ever experienced in our 27 years as a nonprofit," Suzanne Pohlman, executive director of Interfaith Community Services in Escondido told the North County Times. "More people are coming through our doors requesting emergency resources, and yet we have less funding to meet the unprecedented increase in needs."
The recession has hit charities with a one-two punch by increasing the number of people in need while forcing reliable benefactors to scale back their donations, according to the paper.
The Salvation Army last week reported donations to its kettle campaign down 25 percent locally, and countywide contributions down $280,000 from last year.
The North County Food Bank in San Marcos also reported a 79 percent increase in requests for help.
For more details on which charities are hurting or how to help, read the article in the North County Times.
