Leaders of Butler County nonprofits groups, while thankful for the donations they received this year, said they expect the need for their services to rise in 2013 and further strain their tight budgets.

Whether it’s food pantries, homeless shelters or organizations that assist people in financial trouble, all reported a high demand for services in 2012. They attributed that to what Linda Kimble, director of Serve City, a Hamilton homeless shelter and food pantry, called a “very depressed economy.”

‘My crystal ball is cloudy’

These are unpredictable times for Tina Osso, director of Shared Harvest Foodbank, a Butler County-based agency that distributes surplus food donations to more than 100 charities in five Ohio counties.

Osso is worried what impact the possible “fiscal cliff” will have on “hard-working Americans” or how the tax incentives for charitable contributions may change.

This is the first time, especially this close to the new year, that Osso said she hasn’t finalized next year’s budget.

“It’s hard to predict so many unknowns,” Osso said. “I feel I don’t know what’s going to happen. My crystal ball is cloudy.”

But here’s what is clear: The need for emergency food relief continues to rise as it has since the recession, she said. This year was record-breaking in the number of pounds of food delivered and the number of families served, she said.

The agency distributed 7.1 million pounds of food this year, up from 6.5 million in 2010, 4.8 million in 2009, 4.2 million in 2008 and 3.8 million in 2007. In the last five years, the food delivered has increased 87 percent.

Osso said she has seen an increase in the size of families seeking assistance at Shared Harvest. She said more young adults are moving back home with their parents and bringing their children.

For the current trend to reverse, Osso said jobs that offer “living wages” and sufficient healthcare must be created. She said too many people are working two or three part-time jobs that don’t offer healthcare.

Homelessness ‘ain’t going away’

The Rev. Mitchell Foster, executive director of Hope House, Middletown homeless shelter, said because of the downed economy, this year was “very trying.”

House Hope has two centers: one for men and another the for women and children, and both are at capacity with all 100 beds full. He wonders where the homeless shelters will put those in need as the weather turns colder and those on the streets no longer are comfortable living in cars or under bridges.

Foster is seeking additional companies that are willing to partner with the homeless shelter. Hope House is funded through private donations from churches and individuals, whose who “God touches their heart.” The center also receives some government grants.

As far as homeless, Foster said “this thing ain’t going away.”

‘We all work together’

Kimble said Serve City in Hamilton is assisting about 100 new families a month, which has been consistent all year. And many of them, Kimble said, are experiencing homelessness for the first time. She said the agency’s homeless shelter, which can house 40 men and 12 women, is at capacity and the need for housing will remain high throughout the winter.

During the difficult economic times, Kimble said people traditionally dig a little deeper and are more generous.

“That’s really, really encouraging,” she said. “When demand goes up, people are givers. We seem to band together as a community. We all work together.”

‘Very blessed’ Christmas season

Lt. Bryan L. DeMichael of the Middeltown Salvation Army said 2013 will be “a big year” for the agency.

Earlier this year, the Salvation Army moved from a Middletown strip mall to the former Berachah Baptist Church on First Avenue, giving the organization additional space for all its services.

DeMichael said the new building will be dedicated and the 125th birthday of the local Salvation Army will be celebrated April 12-14.

During the Christmas season, DeMichael said the Salvation Army served about 1,900 people from more than 500 families. There was a waiting list for Christmas presents that DeMichael didn’t think would be filled. But a few days ago, an anonymous company donated about $30,000 that was used for holiday assistance.

He called it “a wonderful gift for us.”

Then he added: “He provides for us right what we need and when we need it.”

DeMichael expects the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, its major fund-raiser, to exceed its goal of $110,000. On Christmas Eve, the group was about $4,000 short, he said.

“It’s been a very blessed Christmas season,” he said.

‘This is a very busy time’

The Butler County American Red Cross needs additional funding and an increased volunteer base in 2013, said Christine Birhanzl, director of the agency.

She said the agency is “volunteer driven,” and without them, the Red Cross couldn’t obtain its goal. She said volunteer drivers, those who transport residents to their medical appointments, are imperative to the overall health of the community.

“We are there for the community,” she said. “This is a very busy time.”

When national disasters like Hurricane Sandy hit, Birhanzl said people are more inclined to donate. But locally, she said, the Red Cross is dealing with disasters, while on a significantly smaller scale, around the clock.

Her advice: “Donate. Donate. Donate.”

‘Realize their dreams’

Jeff Diver, executive director of SELF, said he’s “eagerly anticipating” next year because of some programs the agency is implementing and the return of a summer home repair project.

Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) and its new employment and education program, JOBS NOW! are assisting low-income residents find a job or acquire better-paying work.

Self is partnering with the Vora Group and Ascendum, a global information technology solutions firm, to bring in experts to teach this six-week workshop.

Diver said the goal of the program is for families to “escape poverty permanently.

Also, this summer, a group of youth, part of the work camps program, will return to Middletown to complete home repair projects. The group was in Middletown in 2011 and in Hamilton in 2012. The group will be in Middletown from July 7-13 and be housed at Rosa Parks Elementary School. When the group was in Middletown in 2011, the members stayed in Middletown Middle School, which isn’t air conditioned.

The program will be funded through a $10,000 grant from the Middletown Community Foundation, Diver said.

Diver also hopes that individuals graduate from the agency’s educational program and more businesses are opened through the enterprise program.

While Diver admitted “times are challenging,” he’s optimistic more Butler County residents will “realize their dreams” in 2013.