By Katie Curley
AMESBURY — Rosemary Werner has been disheartened in recent weeks as she hears those who typically donate food and money to Our Neighbors' Table will be unable to do so this year. Yesterday, she received a written note from a primary donor, who due to the economic hardships will have to cut charitable giving by 50 percent. She didn't want to give the name of the organization, but the note hurt, she said.
"As a result of the economic crisis, there has been a decline in giving this year," Werner said. "Everyone is cutting back."
The economic crisis facing the nation has created the worst recession in decades and has nonprofits and charities concerned they can no longer count on donations to keep their organizations going. While some are OK for the time being, all foresee hard times ahead. As residents notice less and less to go around personally, those who have nothing to begin with suffer.
"We are launching our annual appeal for this year and like all not-for-profits have some concern," YWCA President Nancy Peace said.
Peace noted the YWCA cut costs by opting to print their appeal materials in house rather than create glossy, multifold materials.
"We have reached out to traditional donors and new members to help them understand even though we have the pool up and running and it is producing income, the Y will always need member and community support and annual giving," Peace said.
In a joint meeting last week, local bank Presidents Richard Eaton of the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, Charlie Cullen of the Provident Bank and Mark Welch of the Institution for Savings said their philanthropy is going strong, but they can't keep up with the growing demand for charitable giving.
While the banks said they should not be seen as a substitute for items the taxpayers must fund, they have been a tool for local communities.
The Provident Bank funds some youth services programs in Amesbury, and the Institution for Savings recently helped pay for new science labs at Nock Middle School.
With a "finite amount" of money available to give, Welch said the banks must look beyond just helping with municipal needs to get to those people who really need their help, such as social service agencies.
"It can't all be municipal," he said.
In a promising new survey by Wilson Research Strategies, a research and consulting firm, two-thirds of U.S. adults said they anticipate donating the same or more than they have to charities in the past this year. Eight percent said they plan to give more than in the past.
Our Neighbors' Table has come up with creative measures to raise money, including an "iron chef" event, which will be held this weekend.
"Last year, we had Chef Ron Boucher come to ONT, and he taught us tips about using spices or herbs to improve the food," Werner said. "He was asking for spices and food items we don't have, so he wanted to create a fundraiser to get us those."
While the fundraiser was created originally to improve the quality of food, Werner said the money raised will go toward kitchen upgrades to enhance the more than 600 meals they provide per week.
"We thought we would try the idea this year," Werner said. "We hope to make it a yearly event. All the money goes to ONT."
To kick-start its annual appeal, Peace said the YWCA used a slightly different strategy than in years past.
"We looked for early lead donations," Peace said. "We have been successful in doing that. It was a way to jump-start it."
Peace said the YWCA has already received a "platinum donation" of more than $10,000 and a gold donation of more than $5,000 as well as several thousand dollar donations.
"I think we will reach our annual appeal goal of $155,000," Peace said. "But in these days, you can't be overconfident as a not-for-profit, but I think we have done everything we can to make our case."
At the Salvation Army on Water Street in Newburyport, Donna Sylvester said while the food pantry is fully stocked, there is no telling what will happen when the weather turns colder.
"We have been lucky with the food pantry being well stocked, but there is definitely an increase in numbers of people in need over the past months," Sylvester said. Sylvester noted she compared her numbers of people in need from October 2007 to the past month and said numbers have tripled.
"Those who require food, shelter, fuel, electricity will increase more than they already have," she said.
As for donations, Sylvester said the numbers so far are not down but said when numbers go up and if there is any decrease in donations at all, the Salvation Army will be in trouble.
Sylvester said staff members are currently gearing up to hand out Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner bags as well as the Santa program.
"Anyone in Newbury, West Newbury or Newburyport who has not signed up and needs it needs to come by this week and do that," Sylvester said, noting the low sign-up rate so far. Though unclear why people haven't come forward yet, Sylvester said they know they are out there and in need.
"Maybe because of the warmer weather, they are not thinking Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we need to know who needs help this week."
Iron Chef
To raise money for the more than 600 meals Our Neighbors' Table provides to the surrounding communities, Amesbury native, Chef Ron Boucher and ONT director Rosemary Werner have teamed up.
The "Iron Chef Competition" will feature a cook-off between the Amesbury Police and Fire departments, Amesbury and Newburyport Stoneridge Properties and the Merrimac Fire Department Friday night at 7.
"We hope to make this an annual event," Werner said. "Next year, we would like to do a cook-off between all the bank presidents."
The menu will include a sweet potato bisque with cinnamon apple chips, a spinach salad tossed with hot bacon and dijon mustard vinaigrette. The entree will be a maple glazed pork tenderloin stuffed with garlic and fresh herbs served with wild rice pilaf and baby carrots. Dessert will feature bread and butter pudding with hot toffee sauce.
A Waterford crystal piece will be the door prize for the event, which will be held at Chez Boucher Cooking School on Lafayette Road in Hampton, N.H.
Tickets ate $50 per person, and all proceeds go toward ONT.
To reserve tickets, call Rosemary Werner at 978-835-3016.
How to receive help
Salvation Army is looking for residents of West Newbury, Newbury and Newburyport who need help this holiday season. To receive help with Thanksgiving and Christmas meals as well as the Santa program residents must come in and sign up at Salvation Army this week.
For more information call 978-465-0883
Contributions dropping
Catholic Charities USA recently reported January-to October contributions fell to $7.6 million, down 4 percent or $300,000 from the same period last year.
The Meals on Wheels Association of America says roughly two-thirds of its members surveyed recently reported drops in both corporate and individual donations. Programs in Texas, Minnesota and California were forced to close this year.
Goodwill Industries International says public support from cash donations, bequests and special events fell 2.3 percent for the first eight months of 2008 in comparison with the same period last year.
