Charities call for more help

AUSTIN (KXAN) - In these tough economic times, Austin non-profit organizations need all the help they can get.

At Capital Area Food Bank, donations are down. Meanwhile, need is up 30 percent. The agency serves 300,000 people in Central Texas each year and is just one of several local non-profit groups asking for help.

"The overwhelming majority of people coming in are people who have never needed assistance before," said spokeswoman Kerri Qunell of  Capital Area Food Bank. "These are first time, working families with children. People who were right on the edge of putting food on the table before and now they are not able to."

More people are also signing up for help from Meals on Wheels and More. The group serves 4,000 meals a day and the number of requests is growing, said the leader of the local non-profit group.

"It's really a time when folks in need are really in need," said Dan Pruett, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels and more.

The Robinson family is delivering 11 hot meals to 11 needy people for Meals of Wheels and More. It is worth sharing an hour of her time "to see the joy on their face," said volunteer Landia Robinson.Robinson has been delivering meals for the organization for the last 15 years.

"I am delivering food to people who are not able to cook for themselves; not able to go out and get their own meal," said Robinson.

The 2-1-1 social service phone number for the Austin area also is seeing more increased call volume.

"In the last two months they've seen a 123% increase in the number of calls," said Debbie Bresett of United Way Capital Area.United Way Capital Area works with about 50 local charities and it is the same story everywhere, need is up while donations are down. "I think for our non profits, everyone is concerned."

For more information on donating or volunteering at one of the local organizations in need, log onto Meals on Wheels, United Way or Central Texas Food Bank.