But this year, charity officials say, the fund will be more crucial than ever in providing food, clothing, furniture and housing.

And it plans to talk soon with charity officials to work out the details of any future efforts.

Government efforts to shrink budgets have eroded the resources of private charities, charity officials say.

Such is the skepticism toward charity officials that hundreds of families have already demanded not to be included in the database at all.

But she worries that the prospect of federal liability would discourage people from serving as charity officials.

But charity officials say services for the elderly are not keeping up with the population explosion.

In a city where many elderly live alone, charity officials say malnutrition is rampant.

That is paradoxically a result of its strengthening economy, with more people working, charity officials said.

Attempts to reach charity officials for comment were unsuccessful.

Her case, though bleak, is not uncommon, charity officials say.