In this time of economic peril, when most Marylanders are worried about mortgage payments and putting food on their tables, it’s not easy being a charity.
“We are living in a time of fear in this country,” said Larry E. Walton, chief executive officer of United Way of Central Maryland. “Even the people who have jobs today are afraid they aren’t going to have them on Monday. That’s a hard thing to overcome. That’s the hurdle a lot of us are having to go over.”
Nonprofits and charities nationally have reported declines in their overall numbers, and a study from the Target Analytics Quarterly Index of National Fundraising Performance found that growth among national nonprofits has slowed and that donor numbers are on the decline. The study says new donor acquisition is down more than 5 percent.
Locally, things are no different. The Maryland Food Bank is staring at a half-empty food warehouse; the Casey Cares Foundation is having trouble attracting much-needed new donors. And the United Way of Central Maryland’s 2008 campaign is lagging at least 5 percent behind last year.
Feeding the needy
You can feed one hungry adult for a week for less than $10.
Even smaller amounts are helpful, said Shanna Yetman of the Maryland Food Bank. “A donation of $1 can process four pounds of food, which provides 3.2 meals. A dollar could provide someone with a full day of food.”
The nonprofit Maryland Food Bank began in 1979 to coordinate the procurement and distribution of food donations from manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and government agencies to organizations that provide free food to Marylanders. The Food Bank provides nearly 14 million pounds of food annually to 1,000 network partners.
Lately, though, it has been struggling to fill its warehouse.
“We were shocked when we looked at our shelves in early May,” Yetman said. “We had about 700,000 pounds of food that we thought was going to last for the entire month of July. But it was gone by the end of Week 2. We’re distributing food at a much faster rate.”
There has been a 25 to 50 percent increase in need over last year, according to Yetman. “The shelves really are bare,” she said. “As of November 10, we had received about 888,000 pounds [of food], but our [warehouse] capacity is 1.2 [million] to 1.3 million.”
Four months ago, the Food Bank started a virtual food drive, which makes it easy for people to donate. Donors can purchase food and even feed a hungry Marylander through the food bank’s Web site, mdfoodbank.org.
Do it for the kids
The stress of worrying about college tuition is all too real for most parents. Imagine the stress of wondering if your child is even going to live until college. For the Baltimore-based Casey Cares Foundation, that’s a situation it faces every day.
“We’re all wondering what’s going to happen with the economy,” said Casey Baynes, the foundation’s founder. “But imagine if you were facing these uncertainties along with a diagnosis that your child has a tumor. That’s a one-two punch.”
The foundation’s holiday giving program is getting hit the hardest. Baynes said they’ve seen a decline of about 20 percent from last year. “Typically, we’re a little ahead of the game by this point in November, but we’re hoping that people are just getting a later start. Most individuals have giving in their budget for 2008. It may be different come 2009.
“But we say, if you used to give a dollar, give 25 cents. And it’s not just us. There are so many wonderful organizations and charities out there. We all need to pull together and make sure the people in our communities are still taken care of.”
Don’t forget those in need
In one day, United Way of Central Maryland’s 2-1-1 phone service received more than 900 calls for help from people facing foreclosure, eviction, lack of sufficient food and unemployment.
“Our calls have more than doubled in two years,” said Walton of First Call For Help (2-1-1), which is United Way’s hot line for health and human service information and referral. “It’s as much real life as you will find anywhere.”
United Way of Central Maryland expects at least a $2 million loss as a result of the economic crisis.
“We do realize that a lot of people won’t be able to give at the level they gave last year, because their discernible income isn’t what it used to be,” Walton said. “But we are asking people not to forget that there are people out there who need help more than ever before.”
More than 80 percent of United Way’s donations come from the workplace, and that’s an easy way for people to give, said Mark Furst, chief operating officer. “But people can certainly give of their time. We’re always advocating volunteering. But the bottom line is, whoever you are, you can make a difference. Now’s the time to give back.”
Want to donate?
For a directory of nonprofits and charities in Maryland, please visit www.marylandnonprofits.org.
