In recessions, when more people need help, donors give less, for donors have less to give. Charities turn away from the more expensive long-term indepence-development programs, to simply keeping up with short-term emergencies. And many simply go out of business. For example:

If a hunter-gatherer kills a rabbit - he eats
If he kills a deer he brings it back to the cave and everyone eats

I went out on a hunt the other day - I brought back some chicken, pork and cow. There was some fish and grain and beans as well as fruits. I am a hunter gatherer!
See my wallet wimper!