"If we do fall short, that means we won't be able to provide as much support to those education, income and health initiatives," says Lauren Kimball of the United Way Abilene.
It's a challenge many non-profit organizations are facing lately.
Major James Parrish of the Salvation Army says, "The community of Abilene has always been generous in getting the monetary donations to us and food donations to us so we've always been able to take care of the folks that come to us."
But in times like this, organizations are seeking other outlets to provide for those in need.
"We have to be creative and we have to kind of think outside the box," says Jody Houston of the West Texas Food Bank.
Houston says organizations are reporting anywhere from a 20 to 50 percent increase in need for assistance. They have taken steps like encouraging food drives and purchasing a lot more food.
Betty Bradley, executive director of Meals on Wheels says need there has only increased slightly.
"We're getting some new donors which is really good but it seems a lot of our donations are fairly small," says Bradley.
The Salvation Army has provided a thousand more meals than they did last month. Last month they served nearly 9500 meals - if that puts it into better perspective.
Major James Parrish says, "Well, the need will continue to rise. I don't see anything in our economy that says that need is not gonna be going up."
