U.S. Office Workers Who Used To Donate To Charity, Now Recipients Of Doleouts

November 27, 2008 6:20 a.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA (AHN) - Charity organizations in the U.S. are relying less on white-collar workers following the lay-off of thousands of office employees. Professionals used to be major donors to charities, now experiencing difficulties raising funds.

Because of limited finances worsened by a reduction in donations, the Catholic Charities of Orange County was able to dole out Thanksgiving dinners to only 500 families this week, while there were 920 families which waited for the packs when word got around of its distribution.

Terrie Montminy, executive director of the Charities, said that they had to turn away hungry people with tears in their eyes. Families who failed to receive the dole out were referred to other organizations or told to return the following day, but got smaller packages.

The CCOC's experiences is being replicated across the country as demand for food, clothing, money and other basic needs and services go up. Among those turning up at the doors of charity organizations are white collar workers, some of whom used to be on the other side of the fence as donors.

Administrators of charity groups and religious organizations foresee the situation worsening as federal and state governments cut back on assistance programs, while ordinary Americans tighten their wallets amid the worsening economic situation in the U.S.

According to a survey of 44 charities by Catholic Charities USA, there was a 52 percent rise in middle-class clients from 43 percent in June.

Meanwhile, the Valley Mall in Hagerstown ordered the Salvation Army staff who solicit money from mall goers to use large metal paper clips instead of their traditional brass clappers upon the complaint of merchants that the Army's bells were too loud.