Cherokee County nonprofits are expecting a rush this holiday season as demand for aid is on the rise.

Organizers point to the economy and the recent flooding as factors likely to increase requests for Thanksgiving meals and Christmas toys.

The annual Cherokee Thanksgiving food charity event is anticipating more mouths to feed this year because of this double effect.

Cheryl Mosley is co-coordinator of the effort, which offers free meals to the community at Canton First United Methodist Church and through deliveries to the elderly, shut-ins and emergency workers.

She said organizers predict people who never before have attended the dinner or requested a meal will do so this year.

"They may not be able to cook or have Thanksgiving dinner in their house. That adds to the effect of the economy," she said. "We will definitely need significant donations."

The event served about 2,000 meals last year, but she said as many as 2,200 or 2,300 meals may be needed this year.

As a result, the organization is asking for financial donations and volunteers from the community.

MUST Cherokee already is feeling the growing demand from the community.

"Our numbers have increased for daily assistance, and our donations are down because people are more strapped," said Connie Stevens, holiday coordinator for the agency. "We have seen a lot more new clients that we probably didn't serve in years past."

Last year, MUST gave out Thanksgiving meal box to more than 700 families and distributed Christmas toys to 1,590 children. She said she anticipates both numbers being surpassed this year.

The agency already is accepting new, unwrapped toys at its Canton office, but asks that non-perishable Thanksgiving food donations be made between Nov. 9 to 13 and frozen turkeys and pies be dropped off on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24.

The Secret Santa program for the Cherokee County Department of Family and Children Services is working earlier and harder this year to raise cash donations.

"Last year, cash donations took a hit. We are trying to do a better job going to businesses we have never contacted before," she said. "We are trying to raise awareness of the program."

The program provides Christmas gifts to children in the DFACS foster care program.

Cathy Monroe, director of the Canton Service Center for the Salvation Army in Cherokee County, said the center recently has experienced a "major" increase in calls from the community.

She said the increase in calls likely is attributable to the exposure the organization received during the September floods.

The center in Canton is accepting donations of toys and other gifts and financial donations. Volunteer bell ringers are needed for the annual kettle drive between Thanksgiving and Christmas outside local stores.

"I am trying to plan as best as I can for a huge amount of people," she said about the upcoming holiday season.