subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Thu, Nov 26 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos


Volunteer Sherry LaBounty and Ark of Faith Foundation director of operations Sally Weiesnbach unload a box of donated food at the Ark of Faith. The foundation is getting more people than it has in the past, Weiesnbach says.
Staff photo by Jennifer Lyles /


Published November 30, 2008 09:57 pm -

Economy affects charitable donations
Officials confident giving will continue

By Keith Purtell
Phoenix Staff Writer

Local charities say they are feeling the effects of the nation’s sour economy in different ways.

Sally Weiesnbach, director of operations at the Ark of Faith Foundation, said at first she didn’t think Oklahoma would be affected. She has changed her mind.

“I just looked at our bank account this morning, and I said, ‘Lord that’s the lowest it has been in a couple of years,’” she said. “Our finances are low. I do think it’s a result of the national economy. I’m believing God will move people will help us any way they can.”

Although cash supplies are low, Weiesnbach said her group has received a large donation of beans that helped their food supply, albeit in a lopsided way. The Ark is running low on canned fruit and vegetables.

Other signs that the economy is affecting charitable groups are walking in the door, Weiesnbach said.

“We are getting more people than we have in the past,” she said. “We have more first timers. We have more young people. One example; a woman came in and said, ‘We need everything. My husband and I just took in our seven grandchildren.’ Another young woman came in and said, ‘Both my husband and I both just lost our jobs.’ These are people that are not used to asking for help.”

At Lake Area United Way, Executive Director Debi Busch said they are receiving mixed signals. They are in the process of wrapping up their annual fundraising campaign, and some donors may be trying to compensate for bad news about reduced charitable giving.

“What we’re seeing as far as what we have received so far has not been a downturn,” she said. “But we do think that people who can give seem to be aware of the need to give. Those people that are in the habit of giving are trying to maintain or even boost it a little bit.”

Busch said a few companies the United Way tried to recruit for their annual fundraiser declined without saying why. The effects of the weak economy are usually showing up at individual agencies.

“In talking to the agencies who serve the individual needs, they seem to have gotten very low on some staples, especially those doing the food, clothing and shelter kind of thing,” she said. “We are seeing them hit really hard. And then by the hair of their chinny chin chin something turns around for them. ”

Another indicator of how the economy is placing greater demands on charitable groups is the rising number of referrals, Busch said.

“We get a lot of calls from individuals that we do referrals for,” she said. “We usually refer them to the 211 phone number that is manned in Tulsa but is a United Way-funded effort for referrals. They tell us that the calls have increased tremendously in the last two months.”

As far as the United Way’s budget, Busch said she hopes donating companies and government funding sources will compensate for the anemic economy.

“We’re hearing that a lot of people got cut on their federal grants,” she said. “We’re hearing a lot more about need. But we’re hoping for results as good or better because of the greater need.”



print this story    email this story   






autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide


Premier Guide

Premium Jobs

5411-Art Teacher

HILLDALE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Will be accepting applications for the following certified position:

Middl
...>MORE

5308-CMA/CNA/MAT

CMA/cna/mat
Full time position
Dogwood Creek is currently accepting applications. Apply in person, 3230
...>MORE

5451-Delivery Driver

DELIVERY DRIVER
Performance Foodservice, the nation's 3rd largest foodservice distributor, has an opportunity
...>MORE

5435-44682
Broadway Manor
Health Care Center
1622 E. Broadway
Muskogee, OK 74403
Accepting applications for
...>MORE

5441-Dental Assistant
DENTAL
ASSISTANT
Family dental office looking for friendly self motivated Dental Assistant with experience. Fr
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

5439 7 fancy black angus
7 fancy black Angus weaned heifers 8-2 yr old springer heifers. 918-617-0454.689-9524....>MORE

5426 Jack Russell puppies
Jack Russell Puppies, for sale. Shots & wormed. $85 each. 918-348-1269...>MORE

5454 Catalina Hot Tub
Catalina Hot Tub, works great, lots of extras $1500. 918-630-8119....>MORE

5422 Angus Steer
Angus Steer, grain fed $1 per lb., live weight, will deliver to slaughter house. 918-519-5554/869-7800...>MORE

5437-2004 Chevy
2004 Chevy 2500 HD Dura Max Diesel, 4x4, Extended Cab $12,900. 918-843-1605 - 682-4646...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index