Salvation Army bell ringers and expectant children are both likely to be disappointed this Christmas. With a recession looming and families feeling cash-strapped in a way they haven’t been since the 2008 housing collapse, there may be fewer donations to charity and fewer presents under the tree.

Kenneth G. Hodder, the commissioner of the Salvation Army, told the Wall Street Journal that requests for aid have jumped 25-50% from last year, with people having “to make choices between buying toys, putting food on the table or paying utilities.”