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Rose Parenteau spent an hour on Sept. 20 sitting with her husband Ed in front of the Fireman's Activity Building instead of sitting inside helping run a bingo event for the Auxiliary of the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company.

The couple wasn't on strike; instead they were there to warn any participants who might arrive that the event had been canceled due to lack of response.

The auxiliary is not alone in its lack of participation in fundraisers and donations in the midst of today's economy.

"Other fire companies have had bingos and things and have had to cancel," Parenteau said. "It's a shame, it really is."

The event, usually a successful fundraiser for the Auxiliary of the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company, had to be canceled because the cost could have been more than the proceeds.

Last year, the event had more than 180 people. But this year, only 10 days before the event was scheduled, only 16 had signed up, she said.

"People are spending money on things they definitely need," Parenteau said, pointing out that a $20 basket bingo ticket for someone could be a week of gas.

She said she's done basket bingos with the group for about eight years. "We've always done well," she said. "We usually make four or five thousand dollars."

The money then goes to the fire department for new equipment and other needs.

Fire companies are not the only organizations struggling with fundraisers during the economic downturn.

Tim Shipley, a member of the 4-County Lions Club in Mount Airy, said there had been a slight impact on the club, which donates to a number of causes, including kids with diabetes and those with vision concerns.

Shipley said a lot of club members are business people.

"They have given what they can during these economic times," he said. "It's difficult."

He said people have to look at fundraisers not in light of the tough economy.

"Maybe we'll make $1,000 this year, and we had $5,000 last year, but that's $1,000 positive that's going to go to somebody to give them a break," he said.

"Are we going to suffer?" Shipley said. "Yes, we are. We're going to provide only because our bottom line doesn't always mean being in the black financially."

Elaine Dean is the director for Mount Airy Net, a nonprofit organization that runs a food pantry in addition to other services, such helping with gas, prescriptions, clothing, and holiday baskets.

She said people have more medical needs, and are losing their jobs, but feels the nonprofit is doing fine. "I think many organizations are OK," she said. "It's the individuals that are seeing the crunch."

Lyn Lynch, director of the organization's food pantry, said she does not have specific numbers, but estimates requests to the pantry have quadrupled. "It seems we can't stay ahead of it," she said.

Even though Lynch said donations for the pantry are steady, the pantry is always behind a little bit, and doesn't catch up to the non-perishable items needed.

"With the economy the way it is, more people will be in need," she said. "There will be a need for more and varied local services."

Lynch said she was so grateful for supporters to the pantry.

"However, even with the increased giving, there's still a need in this economy," she said.

Lynch, a Mount Airy resident, said she has been involved with the ministry for 10 years. She said the need was currently one of the highest she's seen.

"You just have to watch where your money goes," Parenteau said. "Hopefully, it won't get worse."