NPR

Charities Worry As Giving Season Kicks Off Without Fundraisers

Social service nonprofits like food pantries and housing community centers are experiencing such severe need that the demand is “only going to grow worse" as the pandemic continues.
Volunteers prepare food donations from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida for distribution to needy families at a drive thru event at the New Jerusalem Church in Kissimmee, Florida. (Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

In recent years, up to 1.2 million Americans took part in Thanksgiving Day charity runs.

This year, the start of the giving season looks different across the country: Turkey trots in Midland, Michigan, and Granville and Chillicothe, Ohio — all to raise money for important causes — were called off.

Because of the coronavirus, charities need generosity . When people got their at the start of the pandemic, charities saw a spike in charitable giving. Many affluent people not impacted by the economic downturn were also quick to donate.

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