United Way tries to help 'hurting' neighbors
As the United Way kicks off its annual fundraising drive, many member agencies are facing huge increases in the need for their services, some as much as 40 or 50 percent over last year.
“Many of our neighbors are hurting,” said Sherry Stevens, executive director of the local United Way.
“The Flathead Valley is continuing to feel the effects of a challenging economy, and many United Way member agencies are facing unprecedented needs. We’re counting on the generosity of our community members to help their neighbors who are struggling by donating to the United Way campaign.”
“Follow Your Heart” is the theme of the 2011 United Way fund drive, which benefits a variety of nonprofit agencies throughout Northwest Montana.
The goal for the campaign is $850,000.
Member agency representatives will have booths in Kalispell Center Mall Oct. 11-18 to showcase their services and answer questions about available resources. A full day of entertainment, balloons for children and give-aways is scheduled Saturday, Oct. 15, at the mall.
A recurring theme of the campaign is that “One Small Step Can Make A Difference” to improve the lives of everyone in the valley, meeting the everyday needs of everyday people.
Donations to the annual fund drive benefit United Way agencies and services in Flathead County, serving thousands of local individuals and families with a variety of needs. The United Way also provides community resources including the annual Answer Book, a counseling directory, the Montana 211 project and a Volunteer Center.
Last year, member agencies helped 44,822 people in need. Ninety-nine percent of all money raised stays in local communities.
Current member agencies are Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs of Glacier Country, Eagle Transit, Flathead CARE, Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Youth Home, Girl Scouts, Head Start, Help Net — First Call for Help, Literacy Volunteers, Mental Health Crisis Line, Nurturing Center, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Samaritan House, Sinopah House, Special Friends Advocacy Program, Summit Independent Living Center and the Violence Free Crisis Line/Abbie Shelter.
Services supported by the United Way include CASA for Kids, Disaster Care Services, Gateway Community Center, Leaders of Tomorrow, Montana 211 Database Project, the United Way Volunteer Center and Youth Suicide Prevention Project.
The United Way also supports emergency food and shelter programs: Bread Basket, Community Harvest Food Bank, Helping Hands, Hot Springs Food Pantry, Lake County Mental Health Center, Lamplighter House Kitchen, Libby Food Pantry, Libby Food and Shelter Services, Mission Valley Food Pantry, Neighbors in Need, Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry, Salvation Army Meal Program, Sanders County Coalition for Families, Thompson Falls Food Pantry and Troy Food Pantry.
Donors may choose how to donate, including cash, payroll deductions, charging to a credit card, direct billing or automatic bank transfers. Donors also may designate which member agencies or local affiliated partner agencies or the Montana Shares Federation they want to receive their gifts.
For more information on the United Way campaign, call 752-7266. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 7217, Kalispell, MT 59904.