Albertans have been digging deep into their pockets to help with the Fort McMurray recovery. However, many other charities are feeling the pinch, and they're hoping it's only a temporary slide.

At Lethbridge’s Interfaith Food Bank, demand for hampers has increased by 25 per cent each month since March. But while the need is up, donations are down.

Charities say that's not unexpected, since Albertans have generously donated to support the recovery and rebuilding in Fort McMurray. More than $125 million was donated to the Red Cross alone; it’s the biggest disaster response ever.

“We saw the same thing happen during the floods of 2013,” said the Interfaith Food Bank’s Executive Director, Danielle McIntyre. “Basically, the money has got to go where it’s needed most first.”

The Interfaith Food Bank says its popular door to door campaign, “Target Hunger”, has increased every year, until this year. McIntyre says the drop in donations means they have to work harder. They're looking at new and creative ways to raise money.

Smaller organizations are having a tougher go. The Last Chance Cat Ranch in Lethbridge is in urgent need to help with food, supplies and vet bills.

“We've been getting not even one-third of the donations that we normally get in a month. All the donations have been going up north to Fort McMurray - so they should, because there is a great need up there. Yet, we must not forget about our local charities that also need support,” said Elizabeth Ginn of the Last Chance Cat Ranch.

Meantime, the MS Society has had difficulty meeting their donation targets. Jessica Franken says that while their annual MS walk, which was held before the Fort McMurray fire, did very well this year, donations have dropped off since the fire.

“A lot of people would say, 'we've already donated to Red Cross',” said Franken.

The Lethbridge United Way is in the same boat. The charity supports more than 20 community agencies, many seeing an increased demand for services and at time when public donations are focused on the recovery and rebuilding of Fort McMurray. 

“When there's a major natural disaster, everybody wants to help. So a lot of money is leaving the community.  We just don't want people to forget that there are still people here in our community that need help,” said United Way Marketing and Communication Coordinator, Connolly Tate-Mitchell.

While many agencies are looking at a deficit, and going through some anxious times, they expect it will turnaround.

“We know that peoples’ pockets have been pinched a little bit, and they're lending their support elsewhere at the moment. We're confident that the support will return, and we know if it was our shoe that was on, the rest of the province would step up and help us too,” said McIntyre.

(With files from Terry Vogt)