As economic distress lingers, extend generosity to needy

The holiday season is off to a rousing start for shoppers, and the zigzagging stock market is on a fresh upswing. But for charities, the need for assistance is up, while giving is down. There’s a good way to square these equations: Consumers should do all they can to extend the generosity they’re showing their loved ones, as evidenced by surging Christmas sales, to those who are less fortunate.