Red Cross and Salvation Army - Ready to Respond Despite Slumping Donations

Reports show that more than half of all non profits nationwide are raising less money than they did a year ago.

Since 2004, non profits in Mississippi have been hit hard by hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and floods. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports how the Red Cross and Salvation Army plan to respond to the next big disaster even during this tough economic climate.

At a time when corporate contributions are down and more people are relying on charity organizations for assistance, Red Cross spokesperson, Joan Marie Kaye says their organization will continue to respond to any disaster.

“Everyday people who can’t give a hundred thousand dollars, can’t give a thousand dollars. They can give ten dollars they can give ten dollars, they can give twenty five dollars. That’s what keeps us going. But if that doesn’t help we can always call on the Red Cross all over the country because when we run out of volunteers they send them in. When we run out of money they send it in.”

During this economic downturn, Mark Jones, Regional spokesman for the Salvation Army of Mississippi says his organization has seen a significant drop in financial contributions. Because of that he says they've been forced to quickly adapt.

“What we’re doing is belt tightening, prioritization, and realizing that the clients come first. That if we have to go without new printer cartridges, and make sure that we don’t print things out that aren’t necessary then we’re gonna go that. Because we’re going to do the most good with the donor dollar.”

Reports show that more than half of all non profits nationwide are raising less money than they did a year ago. That’s why at the Red Cross of Mississippi spokesperson Ron Speaks says it's vitally important to ask contributors to come up with alternative ways to help out.

“In other words give us products or things that they produce as gifts rather than give us money. Cause that’s pretty tough for them to come up with right now.”

Each year the Salvation Army and Red Cross of Mississippi service roughly 600 thousand people. With the current economic situation, that number could rise. Making volunteerism, the backbone of both organizations even more important than ever. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.