Calls to the United Way's 211 helpline for emergency financial assistance are up 30 percent and referrals for food, shelter and clothing have increased 113 percent from last year. At the same time, the United Way's operating budget is down $400,000 and the Board of Trustees has decided to cut funds for supported programs by nearly $2 million.

"There are fewer clients that are going to be able to be helped," Vice President Janet Owens says. "We know this."

A volunteer review board for the United Way has prioritized which agencies and programs will continue to get help from the United Way and what organizations will lose some funding.

United Way programs which are proven to be effective in addressing basic needs will continue to be fully funded, Owens said. "But we had to decrease some of the other programs."

Programs which address "core issues" such as planning, abuse prevention education and serves for special disabilities will be reduced by 25 percent on average.

In a press release, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid announced it was losing 25 percent of it's United Way contributions.

The United Way will decrease funding for other agencies and programs, based on criticality, by as much as 39 percent.

The trend is spreading across the non-profit world.

Locally, the Salvation Army says hundreds of new people are showing up at food pantries for help, despite a drop off in donations.

Jacksonville's Red Cross office has also made tough budget choices.

"We did do some primary pay cuts, across the board for the entire staff," spokesperson Christian Smith tells WOKV. "That was our first step. Then we had to make the decision to lay people off."

Smith says across the country, Red Cross chapters have consolidated or closed to cut expenses.

"Right now we're just trying to stay focued on providing the services that we can," she says.