BOSTON (CBS) – More people are looking for help, but the recession has continued to hold back donations.

Reports say that while donations are up from last year, they still lag behind pre-recession levels, even as charities state wide deal with a record number of appeals.

The Catholic Charities food pantry in Dorchester is distributing 12,000 pounds of food each week, and that’s four times what it used to give out every month.

The number of people looking for home heating assistance is also reportedly up 20 percent from a year ago.