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CNN Saturday Morning News

Donations Are Down for Many Nonprofit Organizations

Aired November 24, 2001 - 07:13   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Terror attacks and the economic slowdown have taken a toll on many charities across this country. The September 11 Fund had a windfall, but donations are down for many other nonprofit organizations, and there is a struggle to fill the coffers.

CNN's Mark Potter has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A gospel serenade in the Florida sun, as hundreds of homeless and poor are given Thanksgiving meals at the Miami Rescue Mission. For nearly 80 years, the Rescue Mission has been helping the needy, relying solely on charity to keep its doors open. But since September 11, cash and food donations have dropped about 15 percent from last year. Many donors say they suffer from charity fatigue and are tapped out. It's a problem nationwide.

For example, a person that gave $50 for -- during Thanksgiving season last year might have just put $25 in, and with a little note, "This is the best I can do, I'm helping out with the New York tragedy," or the national needs and that sort of thing.

POTTER: The economy, the stock market, and rising unemployment have also taken their tolls. Some who used to give generously are now themselves barely holding on.

(on camera): And there is another important reason for the downturn in donations here. It seems strange to say, but it is the fear of anthrax.

(voice-over): The Miami Rescue Mission solicits donations by mail. But this year, thousands of residents threw the envelopes away without ever opening them as a precaution against bioterrorism. The mission now plans to use the phones more.

JOSEPH BROWN, MIAMI RESCUE MISSION (on phone): This is Joseph Brown calling from the Miami Rescue Mission just to thank you for your recent donation...

POTTER: The mission provides food, shelter, and counseling for hundreds of men, women, and children a day. Its computer classrooms teach job-hunting skills and basic reading. The men serenading the Thanksgiving crowd are the Regeneration Singers, all formerly homeless, all residents of the mission, all beneficiaries of charity which they and others here hope will soon resume in full.

Mark Potter, CNN, Miami.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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