San Diego charities are among those taking a financial hit because of the slumping economy. KPBS reporter Katie Orr explains.
The United Way of San Diego says its partner charities have seen donations drop 20 to 30 percents this year. It also reports the number of people needing help has risen 30 to 80 percent. St. Vincent de Paul is having a similar experience. President Father Joe Carroll says there are more people standing in meal lines. But he says there’s one bright spot.
Carroll: We’re seeing an increase in volunteers. Particularly companies, who in lieu of doing their Christmas parties, are serving a meal and paying for it. Making a donation of roughly a thousand dollars to cover the cost of the meal. Donations in general are down 10 percent. But that’s not gonna effect the holidays, that’s gonna effect next year.
Carroll says Saint Vincent’s will worry about funding issues after the holidays.
Katie Orr, KPBS News
