The past holiday season put charity to the test and, locally and nationally, and it’s clear the spirit of giving remains strong, thought somewhat curtailed by the hard times.

Although the Christmas season is now past, the need for help and support is still with us. This is a fact of life for charitable organizations and agencies. The new year will begin with the same difficulties that persisted through 2009, and the same shortage of resources.

Some small but important charities have no endowment to help carry them through a downturn. We are thinking particularly of the meal program that provides free dinners in Biddeford five days a week to any and all who show up. With an annual budget of $48,000, the Bon Appetit Community Meals Program provides an essential safety  net, helping those unable ”“ for a variety of reasons ”“ to put dinner on their own tables.

Now serving meals at the Second Congregational Church on Crescent Street, Bon Appetit is marking its 20th anniversary. As the recession deepened this year, volunteers have watched the number of patrons rise by 30 to 40 percent. Today 80 people, on average, are served each day, and the tally includes a larger proportion of families with children, according to Mark Ettinger, director of fundraising.

 Faced with such increased demand, and still far short of its fund-raising goal, the organization is appealing for contributions. For those inclined to be helpful to make a contribution, the time to act is now. A quick infusion of cash would put the organization in better shape for the start of 2010, and contributors who would benefit from a tax deduction could apply it to their 2009 federal and  state taxes.

Bon Appetit’s address is P.O. Box 1091, 19 Crescent St., Biddeford, ME, 04005 and can be reached at 283-0380. The nonprofit organization directly helps neighbors who are deeply in need, and it does so with a corps of loyal volunteers who devote their time to cooking and serving meals. Over the years, it has survived its own hard times to continue serving those in need.

There are many non-profit organizations worth supporting, and in a difficult year it is likely that all are struggling to meet their goals. Many contributors may be holding back because of economic uncertainty and reduced income.

As 2009 comes to an end, now is the right time for contributors to consider what they have given so far, and whether they can afford to give a little more.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com or City Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski at kristenm@journaltribune.com.