United Way organizations on both sides of the Mississippi River are asking for help in meeting the needs of their communities.
United Way of Southern Illinois executive director Toni Hayden says their campaign goal this year is around $300,000, down from $500,000 a year ago. She says the lower goal is an indication of how donations have fallen over the past two to three years in the 14 southernmost counties. Hayden says there's a double whammy this year because not only are donations down, but the agencies they serve are also not getting money from the state due to the budget impasse.
"I've already had some agencies calling for advances and I've heard of several agencies that are closing their doors."
She says it's making it harder to meet even the most basic needs of residents.
"It goes anywhere from dental help for children, to just helping with food pantries, rent, utilities, shelter, unfortunately right now."
The United Way of Southeast Missouri kicked off its campaign Thursday in Cape Girardeau. The agency's primary coverage area is Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City. Executive director Elizabeth Shelton says their goal is $975,000, but even that is down slightly from recent years.
"That need amount is determined by identifying what our community has been able to contribute in the past, what are funded partners need realistically from us to be able to do their work."
She call the campaign goal a need, because Shelton doesn't want the focus strictly on money.
"We felt like a monetary goal took away from our real purpose, which is meeting the need in our community and helping our funded partners to meet the needs of the people in our community."
To donate to the United Way of Southern Illinois, send a check to P.O. Box 1901 in Marion. To donate to the Southeast Missouri chapter, go online to unitedwayofsemo.org.
