LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Giving Tuesday has a whole different feel this year. Local charities and nonprofits are hoping the community can give them a financial boost during a challenging time.
The Three Square food bank says it’s seeing a steady flow of money and food donations lately.
“Food, as we know, is just the most basic of needs that everybody has. So, I think during this time, folks have really stepped up and wanted to help,” Kate Hibbard, director of development at Three Square, said.
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At the Salvation Army of Southern Nevada, donations have ebbed and flowed as the number of red kettles are limited this year. It’s also seeing an unfortunate dynamic.
“One of the challenges is that very quickly, some of the folks who would traditionally be giving, actually became people who were in need,” Capt. Anthony Barnes said.
For Russ White, who’s spearheading the local Giving Tuesday push, he’s noticed an increase in demand for services from local charities and nonprofits magnifying the need for continued donations.
“When you have families that need food or families that need rental assistance, that places a greater demand on our local services,” he said.
A Gallup Poll in April shows only 73%of Americans donating to charities, down from more than 80% in previous years. But, a Fidelity Charitable survey in August showed 50% of people giving the same amount while 46 percent of people giving more this time.
“The joy of giving is still there. The understanding that we have more in common than we don’t have in common is still there,” Celeste Flores, senior director of communities for the GivingTuesday organization, said.
Local charities continue to be optimistic the community will still remain generous on Giving Tuesday.
“We still pushing forward and we’ll collect what we can and then we’ll turn around and give that back to the community,” Barnes said.
Donations to Three Square can be made here with donations to the Salvation Army here.
