Video: Fundraising getting harder for charities

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BELLEVUE, Wash. - Local charities are having a hard time raising the money they need to keep up with growing demand.

This is the season many charities hold their annual fundraisers, but there are already clear signs that fundraising will be more difficult.

Eighty-two-year-old Gregori is one of 13,000 people registered with Hopelink's food bank. During senior day he collected food for both his own house and his neighbors.

In addition to the food bank, Hopelink offers dozens of programs that include housing and energy assistance.

But there's a significant gap between what Hopelink is giving out and what it's receiving. For example, they say every month now, they're distributing 18,000 pounds more food than they're receiving in donations.

Hopelink's annual fundraiser will be held in a few weeks, but they're not sure they'll match last year's donations -- let alone surpass them. The timing couldn't be worse.

"Our need, you know, is up 70 percent for our emergency food bags, 67 percent for housing assistance," said Glen Miller, spokesperson. "And I don't think there's any immediate end in sight, unfortunately."

It's a similar story at the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County, which offers after-school tutoring and activities for thousands of children.

Their biggest fundraiser is next weekend, but RSVPs indicate they'll have only 500 guests - 100 fewer than last year.

The number of donated auction items is less than expected as well, but the club's CEO still hopes donors will step up to the plate.

"Our life blood is really generous contributions from the community," Daniel Johnson said.