NATCHEZ — More requests of service and a drop in funding make up the equation that has resulted in financial woes for local non-profit organizations.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store shut its doors on Sunday and will be closed for 30 days in hopes of rejuvenation.

“Our sales are down in our thrift store, and that’s a main source of our social service funding,” Director Janet Trahern said.

During the 30-day period, Salvation Army officials will work to remodel and rearrange the store and stock it with new items, she said.

The Salvation Army, which offers assistance in paying utilities for those in need, will still be operational, Trahern said.

She said a near 10-percent increase in requests for service have put a strain on the Salvation’s Army budget, and she said it can attributed to the economy.

The Salvation Army has seen some rough times through the years, she said.

“It hasn’t been this bad (before),” Trahern said.

Donations to the Salvation Army can be sent to the office at 509 N. Canal St.

Catholic Charities Executive Director Martha Mitternight said various Catholic Charities programs have seen an increase in requests for service, as well.

“What we’re experiencing is a tremendous increase in the number of calls or walk-ins that we have who are requiring help to pay their rent, to pay their light bill, put gasoline in their car,” she said.

“So it’s putting a strain on the amount of money we have to distribute to persons in need.”

Donations to Catholic Charities are holding steady, she said, but Mitternight said she is proceeding with caution nonetheless.

“What we’re finding, of course, is to be doubly careful as we screen persons so they are indeed eligible for the program and try to work with them about what their plans are to handle the need for the next month and for months to come,” she said.

Since Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Program only offers assistance to a specific person once a year, Mitternight said it’s vital to make sure the recipient is set up to be independent post-assistance.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Miss-Lou is also currently hurting. The organization closed its club on July 15 due to lack of funds, but hopes to reopen during the school year.

Board President Thomas “Boo” Campbell said the key is to be frugal with funds.

The club will have a golf tournament in September to raise funds, and Campbell said the goal is to raise between $10,000 and $15,000.

“We’ve got to stretch it as much as we can to keep the club afloat,” Campbell said.

“These are just tough times now.”

And in the interim, Campbell said staffing is being re-evaluated at the club to cut back on costs.

This has been an ongoing problem, he said.

“It really began the latter part of last year, the budget began to get real tight,” he said.

Donation to the Boys & Girls Club can be sent to P.O. Box 781, Natchez, MS 39121.

The club can be reached at 601-304-6648.