Barely scraping by: Needs rise, donations drop for nonprofits
TRIAD – Empty food pantry shelves, yet more mouths to feed.
Leaking roofs, but more people who need shelter.
These are some of the images that have become all too common at nonprofit organizations in the Triad.
Since the recession began, nonprofits have faced growing challenges as more people have arrived at their doors seeking financial assistance, food assistance or shelter due to job layoffs. But because some of those people who were laid off also were the organizations’ donors, the situation has delivered a double-blow.
Steve Key, executive director at Open Door Ministries, a food kitchen and a shelter, can look back at donation records and pinpoint when talk of the recession began. In fact, the organization was just about to launch a new program in fall 2008 when funds began to dwindle.
“We were getting ready to start a new project called the Community Resource Network,” he said. “Several churches and organizations unofficially had been coming together for it, and it was supposed to provide things like rent and utility assistance. As soon as this all began (the recession), every one of those churches were no longer in the position where they could help us.”
The program was delayed several months despite pent-up demand for it, Key said. It finally launched mid-2009.
But delaying programs isn’t always the biggest issue in a down economy for nonprofits. Sometimes a steep drop in donations accompanied by an increased need for services can create a crucial situation.
A leaking roof that needs to be replaced, for example, can become a difficult task to fund. The Salvation Army of High Point has rooms in its Life Center on W. Green Drive and Boys and Girls Club on Cloverleaf Drive that were rendered unusable this year due to flooding and rain damage.
“We’ve been making Band-Aid fixes for the last five years,” said Bill Goodman, chairman of the capital funds committee. “These buildings have been here for a long time. We can’t just patch holes anymore.”
Currently, buckets line the floors of the two buildings to catch rain water, but new leaks pop up with every storm, Goodman said. A bedroom in its shelter and a lunchroom at the Boys and Girls Club where children eat meals when school isn’t in session were closed earlier this month due to water damage and odor caused by mildew. Furniture stored in the Life Center for the organization’s annual fundraising furniture sale also was damaged.
“If we keep losing rooms, we’ll be dead in the water,” Goodman said.
Heeding the advice of three contractors who have said the roofs can’t wait any longer to be replaced, the organization has started fundraising efforts to replace both roofs while continuing to support daily operations.
The nonprofit scene has not been a pleasant one in the past two years, but Bobby Smith, president of the United Way of Greater High Point, said it hasn’t been all bad, either. Some people have been more willing to help in tough economic conditions, he said.
For example, The Community Outreach of Archdale/Trinity reported in early August that nearly 70 percent of the shelves in its food pantry were empty. In response, employees of Hafele in High Point collected 300 pounds of food nearly two weeks later to give to COAT.
“I have conducted United Way campaigns every year in North Carolina since 1983, and most of them have been here in Guilford County,” Smith said. “The (current) environment has been the most challenging I have ever seen.
“Having said that, I think in many respects the greater High Point area was ahead of the curve a little as many of our businesses, especially those in manufacturing, were already operating lean, mean and efficient as jobs had already been lost to foreign competition,” he added.
Key and Anjani Webb, development and marketing coordinator for the Salvation Army, said donations haven’t improved since 2008. Both organizations say they’ve had to modify their day-to-day operations to change with the times. But Smith said at least some relief may be in sight.
“I have actually seen some improvement,” he said. “I’m seeing some manufacturers start to hire. The issue is, while it may be a slight recovery, is it by and large a jobless recovery?”
Leaking roofs, but more people who need shelter.
These are some of the images that have become all too common at nonprofit organizations in the Triad.
Since the recession began, nonprofits have faced growing challenges as more people have arrived at their doors seeking financial assistance, food assistance or shelter due to job layoffs. But because some of those people who were laid off also were the organizations’ donors, the situation has delivered a double-blow.
Steve Key, executive director at Open Door Ministries, a food kitchen and a shelter, can look back at donation records and pinpoint when talk of the recession began. In fact, the organization was just about to launch a new program in fall 2008 when funds began to dwindle.
“We were getting ready to start a new project called the Community Resource Network,” he said. “Several churches and organizations unofficially had been coming together for it, and it was supposed to provide things like rent and utility assistance. As soon as this all began (the recession), every one of those churches were no longer in the position where they could help us.”
The program was delayed several months despite pent-up demand for it, Key said. It finally launched mid-2009.
But delaying programs isn’t always the biggest issue in a down economy for nonprofits. Sometimes a steep drop in donations accompanied by an increased need for services can create a crucial situation.
A leaking roof that needs to be replaced, for example, can become a difficult task to fund. The Salvation Army of High Point has rooms in its Life Center on W. Green Drive and Boys and Girls Club on Cloverleaf Drive that were rendered unusable this year due to flooding and rain damage.
“We’ve been making Band-Aid fixes for the last five years,” said Bill Goodman, chairman of the capital funds committee. “These buildings have been here for a long time. We can’t just patch holes anymore.”
Currently, buckets line the floors of the two buildings to catch rain water, but new leaks pop up with every storm, Goodman said. A bedroom in its shelter and a lunchroom at the Boys and Girls Club where children eat meals when school isn’t in session were closed earlier this month due to water damage and odor caused by mildew. Furniture stored in the Life Center for the organization’s annual fundraising furniture sale also was damaged.
“If we keep losing rooms, we’ll be dead in the water,” Goodman said.
Heeding the advice of three contractors who have said the roofs can’t wait any longer to be replaced, the organization has started fundraising efforts to replace both roofs while continuing to support daily operations.
The nonprofit scene has not been a pleasant one in the past two years, but Bobby Smith, president of the United Way of Greater High Point, said it hasn’t been all bad, either. Some people have been more willing to help in tough economic conditions, he said.
For example, The Community Outreach of Archdale/Trinity reported in early August that nearly 70 percent of the shelves in its food pantry were empty. In response, employees of Hafele in High Point collected 300 pounds of food nearly two weeks later to give to COAT.
“I have conducted United Way campaigns every year in North Carolina since 1983, and most of them have been here in Guilford County,” Smith said. “The (current) environment has been the most challenging I have ever seen.
“Having said that, I think in many respects the greater High Point area was ahead of the curve a little as many of our businesses, especially those in manufacturing, were already operating lean, mean and efficient as jobs had already been lost to foreign competition,” he added.
Key and Anjani Webb, development and marketing coordinator for the Salvation Army, said donations haven’t improved since 2008. Both organizations say they’ve had to modify their day-to-day operations to change with the times. But Smith said at least some relief may be in sight.
“I have actually seen some improvement,” he said. “I’m seeing some manufacturers start to hire. The issue is, while it may be a slight recovery, is it by and large a jobless recovery?”