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With the dreadful news of a slumping economy on the minds of many people this holiday season, local charity organizations say they are experiencing a lull in donations this year in comparison to recent years.

Rena Sims, a volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul that helps organize the annual Thanksgiving food basket giveaways, said people seem to be more reluctant to donate food or money this year because of the economic woes dominating the national headlines.

"What we need is canned goods and the stuff that goes with the Thanksgiving dinners," she said. "We have not received as many money donations as we have in the past for food. I suppose that's because of the economy."

The nonprofit organization usually gives about 300 food baskets away each November, each of which includes all the fixings for a "traditional" Thanksgiving meal, Sims said.

"We got all the turkey, but you know what we're missing is the side stuff," she said. "The things that make Thanksgiving that are not the turkey."

The organization is still seeking donations of such items as corn, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, canned milk, butter, string beans, potatoes, stuffing and more. The clock has almost run out for when they can accept donations because they will begin giving the food boxes away at noon on Saturday. Those interested in making donations of food or money to the organization for the baskets can drop off the goods today at Smith Hall near the airport or on Saturday morning at the Alaska Housing building on Postal Way.

Sims, who has helped organize the Thanksgiving food program for five years, said this year seems different than the previous years she has volunteered.

The list is still ongoing, but it is different," she said. "But I realize it's because of the oil bills, the electric bills, jobs being cut, but remember if you have it hard, someone else probably has it harder."

Brenda Hewitt, president of United Way of Southeast Alaska, said Juneau seems to be faring better than many communities in the lower 48 states that are facing some dire economic conditions this holiday season. However, it does appear that people in the community are being more cautious when it comes to charity donations this year, she said.

"There have been a few people that are giving more but there are a lot of people that are holding onto their money and waiting to see what happens," Hewitt said.

"I know that we are going to end up with more requests with less dollars or fewer donations."

There are a lot of ways that people can help the community this holiday season, Hewitt said, including donating directly to charity organizations and agencies, sponsoring a family, helping out at a church, or donating food or money to Southeast Alaska Food Bank or Helping Hands food bank.

"When you notice there is a big dip, then we try to reach all the different groups that we can," she said.

George Briggs, executive director of the Glory Hole homeless shelter and soup kitchen, also said donations seem slimmer this year than in the recent past.

"It's not that Alaska is feeling the pinch, I think we operate on how people feel and I think everyone is a little worried and so I think people are pulling a little bit back," he said. "This is going to be an interesting holiday season in Alaska and definitely the Lower 48. I think we're going to be OK but I think we are going to have to stretch things a little more to make things work."

The nonprofit organization is struggling this year to accumulate all the necessities for its annual Thanksgiving food boxes it gives away to people in need, Briggs said.

"It's just been a little slower and there's just a lot more need than in the past I think, and that's just a sign of our economy I think," he said.

The Glory Hole has about 75 turkeys accounted for, but Briggs said it is hoping to give out between 175 and 200 food boxes. He said 125 families have already signed up for the food boxes, which represents about 700 people.

"I know we're going to be OK, it's just you get a little concerned when you give out 150 to 200 food baskets and you don't have everything you need," he said. "I'm still 50 to 75 turkeys short just a couple of days before we give away our boxes. I might have to do a little shopping myself and spring for turkeys and pies and stuffing."

The Glory Hole will begin distributing its Thanksgiving food baskets on Monday. Anyone interested in donating food, money or clothing to the organization can drop goods off at its South Franklin Street location anytime between 7 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. The organization also does food box giveaways for Christmas, so anything not used for Thanksgiving will be stored for distribution in December, Briggs said.

Hewitt said Juneau is a generous community and she believes people will still reach into their pockets for others during these uncertain economic times.

"I think that people have a giving heart, and I think that if they know it's their neighbor that's hurting they are more willing to give," she said.