CHARITIES FEEL THE CRUNCH CASH, FOOD, TOY GIFTS DOWN.

Byline: Kathleen Sweeney Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - An unstable economy, increased unemployment rate and threats of war are tightening purse strings this holiday season, not just in shopping malls but to charitable organizations.

Some Santa Clarita nonprofits are feeling the pinch, with less than usual cash, food and toy donations filling their pantries and bins as Los Angeles County suffers from a modest recession as well as the national slump.

The problem began last year when a film-industry union went on strike and then terrorists attacked, experts said. That along with a slow year in international trade, travel and tourism hurt by Sept. 11 affected the Southland economy and cost the county 27,000 jobs.

``People are facing more stress on their budgets, especially if one member of the family has lost a job or a salary is reduced,'' said Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.

Volunteers at the Santa Clarita Food Pantry have seen a 25 percent decrease in cash donations throughout the year even though its client base grew. It was able to break even after it obtained a $75,000 grant to renovate its new building.

Yet, just weeks before volunteers planned to drop off presents at the homes of those participating in its Adopt-A-Family program, the pantry was searching for more volunteers to adopt families. A little publicity encouraged enough people to make donations to serve its 184 families.

``As the economy has worsened, our donations have trailed off so that's what we attribute it to,'' said Laura Morefield, vice president of the food pantry's board. But ``our motto is that no child in the Santa Clarita Valley should go hungry. We try to focus on meeting children's nutritional needs.''

Toy donations at the annual CHiPs for Kids charity, which provides underprivileged children in the Santa Clarita Valley with Christmas presents at Valencia Town Center mall, also has fallen short.

California Highway Patrol Officer Doug Sweeney said donations are down, but the requests for needy children increased. Last week, however, Pinecrest Elementary School donated 1,000 toys and five bicycles to the program, which increased overall donations significantly.

``Everybody is tight,'' Sweeney said. ``There might not be as many toys for (each child,) but we'll still try to get everybody covered.''

It was a different story at the Santa Clarita Boys & Girls Club, which reported a successful year overall.

In June, it raised $400,000 to complete a new clubhouse in Canyon Country, said Judy Belue, executive director of the club's foundation. But it hasn't tallied its total cash donations for the year.

``Perhaps one reason people have been so generous is that the club serves so many and helps people in town,'' she said. ``It's a tough year, but I would have to say people would be extremely generous.''

Economists are predicting a slow, uneven recovery throughout 2003, with the entertainment industry coming back and Los Angeles County adding about 57,000 jobs.

But tourism and travel will remain sluggish because of the fear of terrorism and possible war.

``People are still a little nervous about what will happen in travel and tourism, especially if there is a military strike again in Iraq,'' Kyser said. ``If you have a military strike against Iraq, you'll have the 'CNN affect,' meaning everybody will stay home to watch and see what happens.''