With the economic downturn, the demand for help from non-profits is on the rise and available resources are declining.   There is one surprising source of support, people with low and moderate incomes.  According to recent reports, people who are or have lived in poverty are among the most generous.   Those at the bottom of the income scale give a greater percentage of their income than anyone else and give more consistently.  They give not only to charities, but directly to people in need  - family and strangers alike.  Experts speculate that the experiences in their lives emphasize the need for giving.   For more, see the piece in the Detroit Free Press:  http://www.freep.com/article/20090524/NEWS07/905240474.