Despite the tough economic times the people of Wanganui have been incredibly generous to local charities, the city's Salvation Army major says.
"We appreciate the generosity of the city as a whole. I think some of the other charities around the town would have a similar response," Major Roger Herring said.
Though unemployment remains high and business confidence is flat, this year's Salvation Army Red Shield Day appeal in May was successful, with donations slightly up on 2011's, he said.
About $4000 was raised by volunteers sitting outside supermarkets, with additional donations sent electronically.
The Salvation Army was one of New Zealand's most trusted charities, he said.
Money donated in Wanganui went into the national pot, and was redirected back to Wanganui as needed.
Major Herring is the Salvation Army staff member in Wanganui who deals with social needs. He refers people with drug and alcohol problems for treatment, passes on food donated by supermarkets and groceries donated by Countdown shoppers to the Foodbank and finds furniture and bedding for people who have moved to Wanganui with nothing.
Since Project Jericho closed earlier this year he has also dealt with three people wanting emergency accommodation.
Figures obtained from the Charities Commission show nearly $1 billion was given to charity nationally last year in donations and bequests, down slightly from 2010.
Figures for the Wanganui region were unavailable.
The biggest donations last year went to the NZ Red Cross ($112 million), the Salvation Army ($31 million) and the National Assistance Fund ($29 million).
Fundraising Institute of New Zealand chief executive James Austin said public donations had dipped in recent years.
"It is harder to get. People are working harder at raising funds than they were before," he said.
People were more cautious with their money now, focusing more on saving and justifying any discretionary spending.
Charities were working harder to maintain funding and those that relied on a sole income source had struggled to survive during the economic downturn, Mr Austin said.
Those that survived had high credibility, good marketing teams and more than one income stream.
Online giving had also seen a massive boon, which older charities with "dreadful" websites needed to adapt to, Mr Austin said.
Mr Austin said New Zealand was one of the world's most generous countries, however we tended to give more time than money and needed to give more through bequests.
BY THE NUMBERS
Of the 10,526 charities which filed an annual return in 2011:
$884,038,883 was received in donations
$108,865,559 was received in bequests
Of the 11,064 charities which filed an annual return in 2010:
$1,024,623,676 was received in donations
$89,603,624 was received in bequests