Hard economic times hurting Oklahoma charities

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma charities aren't immune from recent hard times in the stock market. <br><br>Danielle Walker of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma says cash contributions are down 95%

Sunday, August 18th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma charities aren't immune from recent hard times in the stock market.

Danielle Walker of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma says cash contributions are down 95% but demand for services has risen 30%. The Food Bank now averages 56,000 clients a week.

Infant Crisis Services in Oklahoma City is an emergency food source for children 4 years old and younger. Director Miki Farris says contributions are holding steady but says the pantry has had to turn some children away because of heavy demand.

Penny Voss of the Association of Fundraising Professionals says part of the problem is also tough competition between an ever-growing number of charities. Voss says Oklahoma has about 6,000 nonprofit agencies.