Local Charities Hope They Are Not Forgotten In Wake Of Terrorist Attacks

Catholic Parish Outreach is stocking up at the

Food Bank of North Carolina

. The organization used to feed about 1,500 people a month; that that number is more than more than 2,000.

"In the last few months, we've set a record. Every month we've set a record," volunteer Jim Barton said.

Catholic Parish Outreach is not alone. Overall, the food bank has seen a dramatic, 30 percent increase in need this year over last.

More and more people in the community are not able to meet basic needs. They are making choices on a daily basis between food and rent or food and medicine.

With all the layoffs and cutbacks in corporate giving, raising money to help those people was challenge enough even before the Sept. 11 tragedies. Now local agencies are wondering if recent events will make it even harder.

"Some people are splitting their gifts. They are sending some nationally as well as locally, as they should right now. So it may have some long-term impact. We're not real sure," Jane Cox of the North Carolina Food Bank said.

The

Triangle United Way

says it has a solution, and is working hard to get the message out.

It is not asking givers to ignore the September 11th fund, but instead to dig deeper for neighbors here at home, if possible.

"Give a little bit more this year, but make sure to give some locally as well as to the national fund, too," Cox said.