Pennsylvania Charities Hard Hit By Stumbling Economy
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - The United Way of Pennsylvania is putting out some numbers on the effect of the bad economy on social service organizations and their clients.
The United Way is reporting the results of a survey taken earlier this year that drew responses from more than a thousand nonprofit groups. Four out of five reported an increased demand for their services.
Tony Ross, president of United Way of Pennsylvania, says nonprofits reported a 51-percent increase in households seeking services for the first time, a 52-percent increase in unemployed clients, and a 26-percent increase in uninsured clients.
"Many of our friends and neighbors that were once financial contributors to charities are now actually seeking services from those exact same charities," Ross says. "To put it another way, the donor has become the client."
And Ross says that over a third of the charitable groups reported having turned away people seeking help due to lack of funds.
Reported by KYW Harrisburg Bureau chief Tony Romeo.
