As the nation’s financial crisis deepens, local charities are struggling to adjust to working with less help and less money.

Diane Caribardi, development director the Oklahoma Red Cross, said despite not having to make any drastic cutbacks so far in 2009, the Red Cross has to reconcile a lack of income.

“We’ve got savings, but the money coming from these reserves is the money we usually use for disasters,” she said. “So, we’re stable, but we’re definitely having some trouble.”

Caribardi said that the Red Cross is currently trying to raise funds and will be able to make a long-term assessment of its financial situation by the summer.

“Right now, it’s a bit difficult to gauge,” she said.

Lynn Haynes, the executive director of Norman Meals on Wheels, is also facing a long-term fight with funding issues. She said that despite the recent drop in fuel costs, the high cost of food is making it difficult for the organization to provide adequate assistance.

“People aren’t able to donate as much lately,” she said. “A lot of those who have donated to us in the past are on fixed incomes and are struggling. That leaves us with more fundraising to do.”

Haynes said she anticipates things to grow increasingly difficult and is afraid of being forced to put a cap on the amount of deliveries Meals on Wheels is able to make. If the organization were to cap meal deliveries, a waiting list would have to be established, leaving many helpless, she said.

“I certainly don’t feel really comfortable, and I think people are afraid of what could happen,” she said.

Haynes said most of those who use Meals on Wheels are homebound and lonly, so the delivery services provide a daily visitation in addition to food.

Meals on Wheels of Norman currently delivers 315 meals daily.

According to Lisa Sorrels, executive director of Food and Shelter for Friends, one of the most significant problems facing charity organizations is the expected rise in homelessness due to large-scale home and job loss brought on by the recession.

“The consensus is that shelters are going to have to gear up and get ready,” she said. “In a time with such an impending emergency, this is when we need donors the most.”

However, Sorrels said that donations are slow to come and Food and Shelter for Friends needs adequate funding to act as a safety net for those who need it the most.

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there were approximately 124,000 chronically homeless people in January 2007. Even though the organization predicted a slight decrease in homelessness since 2007, Sorrels said she fears that the lack of supportive housing could lead to an increase.

“The news is not encouraging,” she said. “But we at least have to maintain where we are currently to help those in need.”