Despite a tenuous economic outlook, Hawai'i residents kept the Salvation Army's Red Kettles clinking prosperously through the holiday season.

However, the returns weren't quite as rosy for other charitable organizations in the state, including the Aloha United Way, whose administrators expect to fall $1.1 million short of this year's fundraising goal.

According to Maj. Edward Hill, the Salvation Army's divisional commander, this year's Red Kettle Drive — which featured bell-ringing volunteers stationed at red donation kettles outside popular shopping areas — grossed an estimated $784,000 compared with $717,000 last year.

"We were pleasantly surprised," Hill said. "People recognize that there are a lot of people here who are struggling and need help, and they know that the Salvation Army serves the marginalized and the needy. Even though they might be in dire straits themselves, people still found a way to be generous."

In addition, Foodland Shoppers contributed nearly $100,000 to the Share a Holiday Feast program operated by the Salvation Army in partnership with Foodland and Sack N Save. The money will be converted to gift certificates for families in need.

Like other charitable organizations, the Salvation Army relies heavily on the holiday season to raise money for its ongoing services. The real measure of success this season, however, has yet to be calculated. The Salvation Army raises most of its money through direct mail appeals, and those have not yet been totaled.

Hill said the organization's fundraising efforts had produced only moderate results through much of the season but picked up greatly toward the end.

"People in Hawai'i, in general, are good people with the aloha spirit," he said.

While the Salvation Army appears to have benefited from in-person, spur-of-the-moment donations, the Aloha United Way, which relies heavily on one-time or extended-period pledges, has felt the effects of a more cautious fundraising base.

"The impression we've gotten is that this is a very difficult time for people," said Susan Au Doyle, AUW's president and chief professional officer. "People, whether they've experienced impacts of the economy or are just anticipating them, are being very cautious."

That assessment is reflected in the charitable organization's most recent fund drive. AUW administrators had hoped to raise $11.9 million in 2008 for its social service partners and programs. But Au Doyle said that the projected take will likely be $10.8 million.

AUW is still in the process of closing out some 1,200 accounts, Au Doyle said. The organization raised $11.8 million last year.

Still, Au Doyle said the fact that people are still donating, even if at lesser amounts, is meaningful given the state of the economy.

"We will do our best to raise what we can this year, but we'll have to wait and see," she said. "As people watch the economy, they are very aware of the growing needs of the community. They gave less than last year, but they still gave."

FOOD LINES LONGER

The Hawaii Foodbank, which saw its food reserves drop to an alarming eight-day supply in November, saw a 20 percent increase in donations this year, but that was barely sufficient to address a 23 percent increase in distributions to needy families and individuals.

The organization accepted 940,000 pounds of food donations last month, compared with 947,000 in December 2007. It supplemented this intake with a purchase of 200,000 pounds of additional food using monetary donations.

The foodbank now has a 22-day supply of food.

"We were very, very concerned in November," said Polly Kauahi, director of development. "We were in decent shape last May, but then things went left and right in the summer and we really haven't been able to catch our breath since."

Kauahi said reports from community groups that receive provisions from the foodbank have been grim, with lines for food "doubling or tripling."

Helping Hands Hawai'i program coordinator Scott Morishige said his organization has seen a drop in monetary giving but an increase in donations of food, clothing, furniture and other goods.

LESS MONEY DONATED

Helping Hands administers The Honolulu Advertiser's Christmas Fund, which suffered a big drop in donations this year. Last year, the Christmas fund raised $254,000 for those in need. This year, the fund raised an estimated $167,300.

Still, the organization's clearinghouse has seen a noticeable increase in donations of goods, and its Adopt-A-Family program — which allows donors to buy one requested item per member of a needy family — increased from 100 to 150 families adopted.

"Everyone across the board has been affected, whether their hours of work have been cut or whether they're dealing with the cost of utilities going up," Morishige said. "But it's interesting that even though people don't have enough money to donate, they still give whatever they can."