The organization has also provided funding in the past for projects and staff salaries.

Direct Relief did not pay any part of its staff salaries from them.

About 75 percent of staff salaries came from service charges placed on customers' bills, he said.

Its budget is projected at $950,000, exclusive of staff salaries.

After paying staff salaries, the center can spend about $1,400 a year.

The largest expense was about $5.9 million for staff salaries.

"We're already cutting staff salary at a very quick rate," he continues.

Compared with a decade ago, the share of the annual budget for staff salaries has doubled.

By far the biggest expense is staff salaries and related costs, 56 percent of the church's budget.

The city provides funding for staff salaries and museum maintenance.