Fanny Solis has always gotten by on her $9 an hour salary, but she woke up Thursday and knew she had to ask for rent money from Dallas North Shared Ministries.

"I get up to go to work just to pay the bills," said Ms. Solis, 23, of Dallas. "Everything is to pay the bills."

It was the first time she had sought help from a charity. And she is not alone.

As the economy slumps and prices for food and gas soar, as many as 50 new people a day have turned to the same North Dallas agency.  In Garland, people wearing business clothing and carrying briefcases have come to the Salvation Army.  And the North Texas Food Bank is preparing to pump five times more food into Collin County to meet growing demand.

Charity organizers say rising prices have pushed many new faces to seek help with housing, food, gas, clothing and other expenses.  But some of the same growing costs are making it harder than ever for charities to cover their overhead, putting an unprecedented strain on services for needy families.

"We feel like we are getting squeezed at both ends," said Jan Pruitt, chief executive officer of the North Texas Food Bank.  "Our costs are rising as our partners are taking record number of pounds [of food] from us."

Many Dallas area charities have seen at least a 15 percent increase in demand, while some food pantries have recorded as much as a 25 percent increase in new clients, officials said.

At Dallas North Shared Ministries, new faces show up daily, said Judy Rorrie, the agency's executive director.  The agency served 1,630 individuals in June, an increase of about 100 people from the month before.

"We are drowning," Ms. Rorrie said. "The increased cost of gas and food is affecting everyone. Our clients are forced to pay for one thing versus another."

The agency gives qualified clients from North Dallas food and clothing, as well as vouchers for gas, rent and other expenses. 

Melvita Shoals said she worked full time for 24 years, but after being laid off she couldn't scrape together enough money to pay the rent.

"I just have so many bills to pay for," she said. "Gas is killing me."

In Garland, many of the people who have come to Salvation Army insist that they aren't looking for a handout, said Pat Patey, a Salvation Army spokesman.

"They want to treat the assistance as if it was a loan but that's not the way we do it," Mr. Patey said.

The rising fuel prices that have sent many people looking for help are also making it hard for the charities to do business.

Fuel costs have increased 70 percent at the North Texas Food Bank this year and the Dallas regional office of the Salvation Army expects to spend about $60,000 more on fuel this year compared to 2007, officials said.

At the Dallas division of Meals on Wheels, some volunteers have dropped their routes because of gas prices, forcing the agency to hire drivers to deliver meals so they can keep pace with demand. 

The number of clients has increased about 16 percent to 4,400 people this year compared to 3,800 people last year, said Shegala Smith, the agency's director.

She said the growing costs may force the agency for raise the price of meals, which currently stands at $5.

"We have tried to keep our cost the same, but I don't know how much longer we will be able to keep it at that rate," Ms. Smith said.

Charity organizers say donations have also slowed at some organizations, worsening the problem.  Still, many organizations across the Dallas area say they have no plans to cut down on services in the face of such demand.  They now rely on willing volunteers more than ever.

Amy Carpenter, a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels, said the extra few dollars a month that it costs her to drive her route won't stop her from stepping up.

"It's not about the money," Ms. Carpenter said. "It's about the 14 people we help."