Fund For The Needy donations running ahead of last year

Despite hard economic times, the community so far has donated $420,468 to The Seattle Times Fund For The Needy, an amount that's slightly ahead of giving at this time last year.

Since 1979, the fund has provided nearly $12 million to local charities, with all money raised during the annual drive going directly to the charities. The goal of the 2008 campaign is to raise $525,000.

"Given the economy, being ahead of last year is a true tribute to our community's support of our fund and the needs of our local residents," said Alan Fisco, Times vice president for circulation and marketing.

"All I can say is thank you to all who have contributed, and ask those who have not had a chance to consider doing so."

As was the case last year, donations to the fund will benefit 13 charities that serve children, families and seniors: Childhaven, the Salvation Army, Senior Services, Hopelink, Family Services, Atlantic Street Center, Youth Eastside Services, Treehouse, Asian Counseling and Referral Services, Kindering Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kent Family Services, and ASTAR, which helps children with autism.

When her son outgrew his clothes, Allison DeLong, 44, of Seattle, decided to donate them to Family Services' Baby Boutique, which supplies homeless families with baby clothes and equipment. For the past five years, she has volunteered to work at the Baby Boutique, and has persuaded her mother to help as well.

"I am extremely conscious of how lucky I am to have a job, not to mention a home and a car," DeLong said. "More and more people are likely to become homeless, and it's important for those of us who have to share with those who don't."

Last year, Family Services allocated half of what it received from the fund to its child-care center and half to its domestic-violence-intervention program, said the charity's spokeswoman, Patricia Gray.

At the child-care center, children receive two meals a day and have access to therapists and a nurse practitioner, Gray said. The program also educates parents about child rearing.

Meanwhile, at Senior Services, officials are bracing for a difficult 2009. In November and December, the charity cut back its Meals on Wheels program to one meal a day instead of two, to stretch its resources to reach the end of its fiscal year. It has now returned to two meals a day.

The popular food-delivery program gets 60 percent of its funding from the federal government and the rest from donations. The Fund For The Needy is its largest single donor.

Valerie Costa, Senior Services' chief development officer, said that government funding has been stagnant, and foundations have indicated their contributions will be tight.

"If we're able to continue delivering two meals a day in 2009, we're going to need to raise a significant amount of money for the program," she said.

The 2008 campaign for the Fund For The Needy will accept donations from individuals and businesses through the end of the month. As in previous years, Argosy Cruises plans to donate a portion of the proceeds of its annual Christmas Ship cruises to the fund.

In the fund's 2007 campaign, the community donated $547,803.

Sanjay Bhatt: 206-464-3103 or sbhatt@seattletimes.com