United Way $105,000 short of annual goal

Community Kitchen of Monroe County served nearly 131,000 meals last year to hungry citizens in the local area thanks to funding from United Way of Monroe County . \nHowever, as the local United Way chapter is hoping to raise $50,000 more than the $1.45 million it gave out last year, the charity is having some difficulties . \n“We’ve been able, since 2001, to meet our annual goals, and this is a bit of a stretch this year, $1.5 million,” said local United Way Executive Director Barry Lessow. “But that was the goal that the community set because we all wanted to be available to provide that (amount) for help.”\nThe fundraising campaign usually ends in late January, but because it’s $105,000 short of its goal, the campaign has been extended to March 7, according to a United Way news release.\nThe charitable organization’s 27 member agencies include the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Hoosier Hills Food Bank and the Community Kitchen. These organizations alleviate immediate needs such as food, shelter and health care, according to the United Way of Monroe County Web site.\nMiss Indiana Betsy Uschkrat, an IU graduate student, has worked with Hoosier Hills Food Bank and said the support received from United Way of Monroe County is significant in building community relations and providing services.\n“It’s a safety net that so many of us can rely upon,” Uschkrat said. “We as a community really need to work together to keep our priorities in check.”\nLessow said corporate downsizing across the county over the last year has meant United Way fundraising recruiters have had fewer people from whom to request donations.\nHe said one reason for the shortfall is latent results of corporate downsizing. Often, he said, if employees who donate to United Way were laid off last year, it doesn’t affect United Way until this year. United Way has fundraising recruiters who go to businesses to collect donations, which is why a lower number of employees can affect funding, he said.\n“That’s not unknown to Bloomington,” he said. “As we take a look around, we recognize that in some places campaigns are up and some are down. We’re coming up a little short. We’re just making sure people know that there’s the ability to give.”\nLessow said IU’s campaign to raise money for United Way set its goal at $650,000 for this year and the University is close to reaching that goal. Campaign donations can be made in the form of payroll deductions, whereby a certain amount of money from participating businesses is withheld from a paycheck each week to be donated.\n“For example, it might be hard to write a check for $100 dollars right now,” Lessow said. “But $2 a week, that has a different impact.”\nLessow said he is optimistic about reaching the goal and encourages people to look for options to donate online or at the county’s United Way office, 441 S. College Ave.