Whatcom County charities are coping with the challenge of helping needy people during the holidays at the same time that good-paying jobs remain scarce, so donations aren't as bountiful.

At the Ferndale Holiday Giving Store, which provides free Christmas presents for families in need, Julianna Kindlund-Carpenter is drumming up last-minute donations, especially sweatshirts and gifts for kids age 9 to 17.

"Economically it's a really bad year," she said.

As many as 900 children could come to the Giving Store this season to receive an article of warm clothing, a large toy, a small toy, a book and a stuffed animal, she said.

At Whatcom County Toys for Tots, there's still need for more toys for girls and for infant boys. Last year, 3,000 kids received toys and stocking stuffers, and the demand this year is expected to remain strong.

"We have a lot of new families," said coordinator April Cruikshank-Durkee. "I base that on the economy; everyone is struggling to make ends meet."

The Salvation Army in Bellingham hoped to raise $170,000 through direct mailings and its traditional bell-ringing campaign, up from $151,000 last year. As of late last week, donations weren't on pace to meet that goal, but Maj. James Lloyd, who heads the local Salvation Army, hopes a flood of volunteer bell-ringers from local service clubs will turn the tide.

"People are still giving," he said. "We're not seeing the big checks from the corporations. They're giving, just not as much." The campaign did receive an unexpected boost recently when someone dropped a gold maple leaf coin, valued at $1,600, into a Salvation Army red kettle in Lynden. Also, someone is placing $100 bills in a kettle.

“While we are still behind in moving toward our goal, these donations are very helpful,” Lloyd said.

Through the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program, people donate gifts and money so 500 families will have something under their Christmas tree. Donations for that remain strong, but some of the recipients are new this season, Lloyd said.

"Some of the families that we're seeing are first-time families," he said. "They're families that used to donate to us."

In Lynden, families will come to Project Hope today and Wednesday, Dec. 21, to pick up holiday food baskets, and gifts if they have young children. About 300 baskets will be distributed.

In previous years, donated food not used in Thanksgiving baskets were held for Christmas baskets. After this Thanksgiving, however, the cupboard for baskets was bare, said Jim Grennell, executive director.

"We were way behind in food poundage, but some churches and businesses came through with food and cash donations," he said. "There's been a last-minute outpouring of help. I think it's going to help us meet our goals."

Project Santa Claus, organized by members of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, will again help at least 125 children by letting them buy gifts at Kmart and by giving their families gift cards for groceries. Donations for toys have held strong, but cash donations have been leaner than usual, said organizer Kevin Bowhay, a sheriff's detective.

"This year we're OK," he said. "For next year, we'll have to see where we are."

At Bellingham Food Bank, more than 800 people are expected to pick up "holiday themed groceries" during the days leading up to Christmas, said Mike Cohen, executive director.

Food donations are going fine; it's after the holidays that Cohen worries about.

"Donations are reduced as soon as holiday season ends," he said. "We need to work to help folks remember that hunger in Bellingham is a year-round challenge."

Earlier this month, on Dec. 2, the food bank broke its record for most people served in a year. The previous mark was 102,000 clients in 2009.

At Lighthouse Mission Ministries, staff and volunteers will serve more than 400 hot meals at Assumption Church gymnasium, and more than 100 "meals on wheels," on Christmas Day. New clothing, blankets, candy and toys also will be distributed, despite a crimp in fundraising.

"We are running $50,000 behind for the year," said Ron Buchinski, executive director. "We are not altering our approach to the holidays, but will assess future spending after the holidays."

Last year by this time, about 200 people had donated a total of $31,000 to The Bellingham Herald's Extend-a-Hand charity, which helps needy people keep their housing and obtain medical prescriptions. About the same number of people have donated so far this season, but the dollar total is just over $18,000 because a small number of large donations that arrived last year have not come through yet this year.

At least one holiday charity reported smooth sailing this year. On Dec. 10 and 11, the Christmas ship sponsored by Bellingham Central Lions Club distributed toys to about 700 children in the San Juan Island and in the Gulf Islands in B.C. That figure is a bit lower than in previous years, but it reflects changing demographics in the islands, not problems with donations, said Don Wight, an organizer and one of three ship captains.

Even the weather cooperated.

"The first day out there was a little bit of cloudiness, but it cleared right up," Wight said. "Nothing rough, nobody got seasick, which as unusual."

MORE INFORMATION

• Bellingham Central Lions Club Christmas ship: 360-592-4545.

• Bellingham Food Bank, 1824 Ellis St. 360-676-0392.

• Extend-a-Hand, c/o Opportunity Council, 1111 Cornwall Ave., suite C, Bellingham. 360-734-5121, ext. 301.

• Ferndale Holiday Giving Store, Carnation building, 1920 Main St., suite 1. 360-922-0662.

• Lighthouse Mission Ministries, 910 W. Holly St., Bellingham. 360-733-5120.

• Lynden Project Hope: 205 South B.C. Ave. 360-354-4673.

• Project Santa Claus, c/o Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, 311 Grand Ave., Bellingham. 360-676-6650.

• Salvation Army, 2912 Northwest Ave., Bellingham. 360-733-1410.

• Whatcom County Toys for Tots, 4151 Meridian St., suite 110, Bellingham. 360-207-0224.