Project Bread reports that more than 10 percent of Massachusetts households surveyed over the past three years worried about having enough food, the highest level in Massachusetts since the federal government began collecting the information in 1995.
“In city neighborhoods some of the need is just overwhelming,’’ said Ellen Parker, who directs the antihunger group. “As a result, there’s less service available.’’
At the same time, the economic woes have cut into donations by those who have given in the past. About one-third of Salvation Army food programs are running low on supplies. The Home for Little Wanderers, a child and family service agency in Boston, has received 750 fewer donated winter coats than this time last year.
“So many people are hurting and they need to really take care of themselves first before they can help others,’’ said Catherine D’Amato, president of the Greater Boston Food Bank.
In response, charities are searching for new ways to collect donations. The Massachusetts Salvation Army, whose red donation kettles and volunteer bell-ringers are a sure sign of the holiday season, recently began accepting donations through smartphones.
“We have a goal of helping everyone who has a need,’’ said Ivan Rock, general secretary of the Massachusetts Salvation Army. “If that means we need to find new, creative ways to find income, that’s what we’re going to do.’’
Nationally, 94 percent of Salvation Army food programs last year reported an increase in requests.
Corporate contributors are also looking to maximize their impact, charity officials said.
“More corporations are coming to us with two purposes: One is, how can they stretch their dollar further? And number two, how can they focus their funding?’’ said Brian Adams, spokesman for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.
United Way has also expanded the scope of its assistance, boosting the number of turkey dinners it distributes from 1,000 dinners in 2009 to 5,000 this year and last.
But in some cases, donations are falling through. The Greater Boston office of Catholic Charities recently heard from two companies that reneged on their commitments of turkey donations, leaving them 275 dinners short.
