"In this economy, a charity has to find every way possible to raise money, and that includes the old-fashioned way and the new techniques and technology we are seeing," said Suzy DeFrancis, chief public affairs officer for the American Red Cross at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
It also means being creative.
Members of New City Parish -- a coalition of nine Lutheran churches in Inglewood, South Los Angeles and Compton -- distribute leftovers from restaurants at their food pantries, along with more traditional groceries. Among items on the menus: Chicken wings from Kentucky Fried Chicken and crab legs from Red Lobster.
The group's executive director, the Rev. Scott Fritz, also envisions "urban gardening" that would allow communities to grow their own vegetables. Last weekend, members of Fritz's congregation, Chapel of Peace Lutheran Church in Inglewood, reached out to the community's homeless and working poor, inviting 180 people into the church for meals.
"The poor are coming around to help the poor," the pastor said. "It makes us see that we're all in this together."
Others also believe the solution lies in faith.
The Rev. Pat O'Reilly had worried about making ends meet this fall at the Ecumenical Council Pasadena Area Churches, a coalition of 50 Protestant and Catholic congregations, as cash donations fell and the numbers of needy increased at its food pantry. Then, to O'Reilly's surprise, the council received two foundation grants last month worth $19,500.
"If you give," O'Reilly said, "God will take care of you."
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duke.helfand@latimes.com
