Two years ago, Bluffton Self Help served 416 families with food, clothing and financial assistance.
In 2008, the number of families in need jumped to 656.
So far this year, the nonprofit agency on May River Road has seen more than 600 families. That number continues to grow, said Linda Kaufman, board president.
"A lot of folks are hanging on by their fingernails around here," she said.
The push is on to keep up with the demand for essentials like canned goods and clothing. Some 104 people received food donations Tuesday, Kaufman said.
Capt. Kenny Griffin of The Salvation Army said in a news release that the organization has seen a 30 percent increase in applications for assistance.
"Most of that increase is from individuals who have never asked for help before," he said. "Some have been laid off from jobs, others have been cut to part-time."
Bluffton Self Help and The Salvation Army are two of 39 agencies and programs in Beaufort and Jasper counties funded by the United Way of the Lowcountry's annual fundraising campaign, which began in mid-September and runs through the first week of December.
"It's not yet winter, we are just starting to approach the holiday season, and already staff and volunteers at the Salvation Army, Bluffton Self Help and the Deep Well Project are burning the candle at both ends trying to provide help where it's needed," said Kevin Cuppia, Beaufort area chairman, in a news release Thursday.
The United Way campaign has received $1,438,681 in gifts and pledges, putting it at 57.6 percent of its $2.5 million goal, said Jill Briggs, United Way executive vice president.
"This same week last year, we were at 64 percent of our goal," Briggs said, "so we're running a little behind. The fact is, many of the donations that have come in, particularly from workplace campaigns, are coming in flat compared to last year."
Briggs attributed the increased need to layoffs and a slow job market. Requests for services are up 40 percent to 80 percent this year over last, she said.
"Everybody knows somebody who's been impacted by layoffs or furloughs in some way," Briggs said. "We absolutely need to meet this goal, because our agencies are being pressed to the wall."
At Hilton Head Island's Deep Well Project, executive director Betsy Doughtie said this year's donations are slightly behind last year.
"The need is way, way up," Doughtie said. "Every day of the year, we give food away. None of it goes to waste -- and we need a lot of it."
Elizabeth Lamkin, chairwoman of the United Way's Hilton Head campaign, said letters were being mailed this week to 20,000 area residents to ask for help.
"Our volunteers have been reaching out to everyone they know, but pledges and donations are simply far behind where they need to be," Lamkin said. " ... Basically, we are pulling out all the stops and pleading with people to help."
For more information, go to the United Way Web site at www.uwlowcountry.org or call 843-982-3040 in Beaufort, 843-837-2000 in southern Beaufort County, or 843-645-6500 in Jasper County.
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Holiday charities the United Way supportsDeep Well Project
154-A Beach City Road
Hilton Head Island
Bluffton Self Help
1264 May River Road
Bluffton
Salvation Army Thrift Store
1316-A Fording Island Road
Bluffton
or
2505 North St.
Beaufort
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