04:43 PM PST on Wednesday, January 26, 2005

By CATHY KIYOMURA / KING 5 News

SEATTLE - At a time when there's an out-pouring of generosity to tsunami relief groups, local charities are feeling the impact.

KING

People line up to receive help from Northwest Harvest.

The line was long at the Northwest Harvest food bank Wednesday. Each day, 1,600 people come to one food bank alone. Now there's concern that the outpouring of donations to tsunami relief groups is having an impact on local giving.

Seattle-based Northwest Harvest saw donations dwindle this month.

“For the first two weeks in January we are down 70 percent in cash contributions,” said spokesperson Maria Lamarca Anderson.

Northwest Harvest and other charities acknowledge the pressing need overseas, but want donors to remember there is hunger in our own backyard. It says a donation of 53 cents will help feed a small family.

Other local charities are concerned, too. Union Gospel Mission is determining if donations have dropped more than is typical after the holidays, while the Salvation Army reports an 8 percent dip in donations over the same period last year

United Way of King County says it's optimistic donations will stay the course, and Tacoma Rescue Mission reports donations are slightly up.

Although donations are down at the Everett food bank, there is hope long-term donors will come through.

“We’re quite interested to know the impact of the tsunami and community giving, which is pivotal to our food bank and distribution center,” said Bill Humphreys of the Everett Food Bank.

Charities are hopeful an already generous community will dig a little deeper to give, locally.