Recession clouds holiday outlook for area charities

But generosity keeping pace with rising need so far

By E.B. FURGURSON III, Staff Writer

Published 11/26/09

In Annapolis, Salvation Army Capt. Richard New calls it a double whammy: The recession has created much more need, yet made it harder for people to give.

Paul W. Gillespie — The Capital Severna Park Assistance Network volunteer Chelsea Brown, 16, left, helps Lanae Harris with her Thanksgiving box of food during Monday’s holiday meal distribution at the church-supported charity.

But while that trend is showing up nationally, local residents are stepping up in droves to help their neighbors in need, officials said.

The Anne Arundel County Food Bank, which supplies goods to most food pantries, soup kitchens and other support centers, reports food donations are way up this holiday season.

"We have more coming in, but it is going right out again," food bank Director Bruce Michalec said.

Most organizations partnered with the county...

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What gets to me.... - 2009-11-26 15:21:09

I'm a Christian and I believe that the spirit of giving should happen all year around like Fred Shubbie said but the woman receiving the food in the picture is wearing a Leather jacket that probably cost more than the box of food shes taking.

I know times are tough for people I myself have to work two jobs and I don't even have a family but what gets to me these organizations go out their way to help people and I always wonder just how appeciative they really are.

Just my opinion.

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Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Excellent

Why support gluttony ? - 2009-11-26 01:25:17

It great to give food to the poor, but why give them more food for one day. It would make more sense to just give them what they need all year 'round instead of wasting so many resource sto supply excess food for one day. I am all for celebrating the harvest ( or whatever Turkey day is for) but if a need is present, it should be met, but not exceeded. Turkey day is a day of excess and gluttony and if people need help they should be able to get it all year, not just for one day.

Take the woman receiving the food in the picture, does she look like she needs excess food ? I know it sounds mean spirited of me, but I just want to see people who really need help receive it and r those that don't refrain from taking from those with a genuine need.

Happy Turkey Day Y'all.

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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible