Organizations that rely on charitable contributions during the holidays hope a strong Island economy and low unemployment rate will produce generous contributions, but they worry the same factors could backfire.

Hawai'i's strong economy — coupled with the lack of a major calamity such as Hurricane Katrina that inspired contributions last year — could lull donors into holding back this season, the leaders of some organizations fear.

The Salvation Army's Hawaiian and Pacific Islands division kicked off its "red kettle bell-ringing drive" yesterday. But donations to the Salvation Army's direct mail campaign are already off 15 percent compared with the same time last year, said Maj. Dave Hudson, the group's divisional commander.

"We have a really good economy, but the flip side is that a lot of people still have to have two jobs to keep up with the cost of living," Hudson said. "Will people understand that there's still a lot of need out there?"

Even with Hawai'i recording a 2.5 percent unemployment rate for September, Hudson said, "There are families that are one paycheck away from homelessness. They have enough for the most basic of things, but if anything goes wrong — if a child gets sick or they miss days at work — they're on the brink."

Sil Garcia, a 26-year-old Hawai'i Pacific University student from Waikiki, stuffed $1 into a Salvation Army kettle staffed by Gov. Linda Lingle and Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann at Bishop and King streets yesterday.

At that rate, the Salvation Army would need another 499,999 contributions to meet its statewide red kettle goal through Christmas Eve.

"I never had a lot growing up," said Garcia, who is studying to become a teacher. "So whenever I gain a little, I always want to give something back."

Martha Loezius, an insurance officer from 'Aiea, popped in $3 and said she understands that many people still aren't benefiting from Hawai'i's good economic times.

"The economy's up," she said, "but a lot of people are still hurting."

At the Hawai'i Foodbank, some of the group's 250 member organizations are reporting that families are relying on them more than ever, said Polly Kauahi, director of development.

"Even with a good economy, when milk is $7 a gallon, you have to work an entire hour just to buy a gallon of milk," Kauahi said. "Some families used to wait until the end of month, when their food stamps ran out, before visiting a food pantry or food bank. Now they have to rely on these agencies for an entire week or a couple of weeks because it just doesn't stretch far enough to feed their family."

During the holidays, the Institute for Human Services will need to raise half to 60 percent of its total contributions for the year from individuals, foundations and churches.

But IHS sent out its direct mail appeal two weeks later than usual so it wouldn't get lost among the barrage of election-year mailings, said Margot Schrire, IHS spokeswoman.

IHS also finds itself facing higher energy and fuel costs at the same time that new shelters for the homeless are seeking donations.

"The pressure is on between now and the end of the year," Schrire said.

But nonprofit officials such as Kelvin Taketa, president and CEO of the Hawai'i Community Foundation, hope that Hawai'i's good economy means "a good season for giving."

"A lot of people are still hurting," Taketa said. "But there are still a lot of people who understand that there are many people who are less fortunate than us, and they need to give."

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.