Gospel Rescue Mission Director Jack Murr said he also is seeing people donate more in response to the bad news about the economy and the effect on the needy.

“We feel like we’re going to see an increased number of people coming for the Christmas baskets for food and clothing,” he said. “We picked up 134 sacks of full Thanksgiving meals for families from Bacone College. I think the staff there has done a good job of communicating the need. So, we’ve seen a surge in the giving, but as far as seeing an increase in homeless or those in the community needing assistance, we haven’t seen a great increase yet.”

Murr agreed with Busch that there is a spontaneous rise in giving this year as people look at what the economy is going to do to lower-income families.

“I feel the same way about donors trying to compensate for the rising need,” he said. “As a matter of fact, out of our general fund, we had set up just in case we needed to buy some food for the Christmas baskets, but the precise amount came in from people who had never donated before.”

Murr said this is a pattern of generosity the charitable groups have seen before.

“Typically, donations will increase in a time of possible financial hardship for some reason,” he said. “But only until things are so tough that people just absolutely can’t do it. People’s minds are on the economy and on those who are those who are going to feel the crunch first.”

The long-standing Mission has built a good reputation in the area, Murr said, leading to some protection during rough times.

“We’ve been here for more than 75 years, and there are so many people we have relationships with around the community,” he said. “We are fortunate in that because people are thinking of the Mission at this particular time. Although our situation is as solid as it could be, we’ll probably be looking at ways to cut expenses. But I feel really good about looking down the road as far as the Gospel Rescue Mission is concerned and being able to continue to offer services.”