It may be feelings of a failing national economy that caused Casper residents to be extra philanthropic this year, according to one nonprofit official.

Joshua's Storehouse & Distribution Center, the Salvation Army and the Holy Cross Food Center all reported meeting or exceeding their goals and receiving more donations than last year.

Jay Martin, an advisor to the board of directors for Joshua's, said there may be many reasons why giving was up. One contributing factor might be an increase in need and a generous Casper population.

"There are more people out of work now, an awful lot of people are afraid of the economy and maybe they thought, 'If I am afraid of this, imagine what the people who don't have food are feeling?'" Martin said.

He thinks Joshua's may have helped about 6,000 people during the holiday season, including distributing toys, food and other needed gifts.

Some of the staff members were concerned before Thanksgiving that they wouldn't receive enough to give to the needy. The shelves were "pretty bare," Martin said, but residents helped and the nonprofit ultimately had plenty.

Captain Dan Wilson from the Salvation Army said he was pleased with the holiday results.

In a time when more and more people are coming with needs, it's even more important to give, he said. Area residents responded.

This year, he hopes to expand some of the Salvation Army's programs including a low-income or homeless breakfast program. Currently, the morning meal only happens once a week, but later this year he plans to serve two or three times a week.

Salvation Army staff members cook the meals in their disaster relief vehicle, which means the workers have the experience they need and Casper residents find the food they require. They serve breakfast, at times, to more than 70 people, Wilson said.

Despite the absence of Director Brother Francis Kjeldgaard, who's recovering from a broken hip, the Holy Cross Food Center gave to about 300 families this holiday season.

The Natrona County School District gave the food center more than 11,000 pounds of canned food, churches gave Christmas baskets and the Wyoming Medical Center donated nearly 100 turkeys, said acting director Kitty Carr.

"We knew the people of Casper would provide for us," Carr said.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com