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As the U.S. economy continues to take hits, local non-profits are bracing for protracted blows.

"We're preparing ourselves for the longer-term effects of an economic downturn," said Dianne DePippo, president of the United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton. "It appears as though the community itself is challenged and has less discretionary monies. The funds that may have been given to non-profits are being diverted to fuel tanks."

Area residents are being forced to make choices between pumping gas and giving to their favorite food pantry. The Attleboro Council of Churches, which operates six soup kitchens and a breakfast delivery program, has seen a dramatic drop in donations.

"We depend a lot on donations and our income right now is really down," council Executive Director Dot Embree said.

The program usually sees an increase in summertime food donations, even as cash contributions level off for the season. But so far this summer, she said, the pantry is "really lacking food." The Council of Churches is not alone.

The ARC of Northern Bristol County, New Hope, Markman Children's Programs, the United Way and the Attleboro YMCA all report a recent decline in funding, coupled with an increase in expenses.

Attleboro's The Literacy Center says its students, who come to take advantage of basic education classes, are talking more of lay-offs and trouble meeting their mortgages. For now, The Literacy Center has not seen steep money setbacks, but the agency is preparing for it.

"We have a lot of money that comes from foundations," said Joan Ricci, the center's executive director. "When their interest rates go down, it affects our funding. We anticipate that will happen."

Non-profits that have diverse funding sources, from grants, endowments and foundations, may be better off during a troubled economy than those who bank on donations.

"Donations depend on how the economy is doing," said DePippo of the United Way. "Any organization that relies on donations is at risk."

For most area non-profits, money is trickling in at the same time it's flooding out.

On both counts, local providers point the finger at skyrocketing gas prices.

Markman Children's Programs, an area child care provider, worries as it faces a summer full of field trips.

"That's where the gasoline is going to hit us," said Dianne Bardsley, the program's executive director. "We don't go far for field trips and we certainly won't be tempted to go farther." The Council of Churches also feels pinched at the pump.

"We're just holding our breath," Embree said. "We're not only delivering food, but we provide transportation to our soup kitchens. As gas prices go up, we're going to see an increase in people using our transportation services."

That's the vicious cycle for human service providers. As the economy worsens, the need for their services only increases, as clients, especially low-income ones, struggle more than ever to make ends meet.

Elizabeth Keating, a Boston-based, non-profit expert, says non-profits today are less able to weather this kind of shaky economy.

"Historically, non-profits have had cushions and buffers so that a revenue drop does not equal a drop in services," said Keating, a visiting professor at Boston College. "Non-profits are more strapped than they were 25 years ago. They don't have the same cushions now."

So far, local non-profits are not cutting services, though only time will tell the full impact of the current economic crunch.

Typically, state and federal funding cuts lag behind the immediate economic aftershocks that send individual and corporate gifts plunging.

"When I look at the current economic cycle, I think we're just beginning to see the effects for non-profits," Keating said.

Keating recently contributed to a landmark study by the Boston Foundation, which charted the health of Massachusetts non-profits. The report, released June 11, found that for better or for worse, the non-profit sector remains big business in Massachusetts.

Non-profits employ 14 percent of Massachusetts workers - almost twice the national average. It seems what affects non-profits will affect more than food pantries.

In the meantime, local non-profit leaders stay optimistic, looking for the silver lining in a black-cloud economy.

Though Duane German, who directs the Attleboro YMCA, has seen a rise in the number of people requesting financial aid, as well as a drop in membership, he remains hopeful.

"I think once the panic wears off and people restructure their finances, looking at more efficient ways to spend their dollars, they will see the Y as a real bargain for family activities," German said.

In light of the economic downturn, German said he will continue to offer more free activities for families.

Embree said she will stay positive as well.

"Just when you think it's the end of everything, something comes through," she said. "We'll work it out some way."