United Way drive at 14 percent of goal

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SIDNEY — Each year, the Shelby County United Way supports approximately 40 local organizations and programs and serves more than 11,000 residents.

Impact work is accomplished in the areas of families, individuals, health, crisis, victims, seniors, community initiatives, and the Special Project Grant Program. More than $345,000 of the $1,105,300 allocation budget was awarded to faith-based organizations to help deliver their missions.

Compassionate Care is a faith-based, free, health clinic that serves more than 1,200 unduplicated patients annually. Catholic Social Services receives United Way support to deliver family counseling and senior programming. Alpha Community Center and Holy Angels Soup Kitchen combined served more than 30,000 hot meals to the hungry. YMCA Child Development Center serves 205 children daily and is the largest child care center in the county. Salvation Army receives funding for its afterschool program, food pantry and juvenile life skills program called Bridging the Gap. Samaritan Works provides three sober living homes for those facing addiction. There are a men’s home, women’s home and a graduate home.

Through the Special Project Grants, additional faith-based programs are awarded funds. The First Presbyterian Church Munch Bunch Program purchases, packs and delivers almost 230 bags of food weekly for Sidney City Schools and Houston Schools students to fight weekend hunger. Maplewood United Methodist Church and five other local churches are awarded dollars for the same project that delivers almost 100 bags of food to Jackson Center students to fight weekend hunger. Agape Distribution is awarded dollars to purchase food. Elizabeth New Life Center is awarded dollars for its Helping Mothers Make Healthy Choices course work.

Scott Barr, director of the Shelby County United Way, said, “The board of directors and community leaders that serve on our allocation teams evaluate and fund the best organizations that are working efficiently and delivering the greatest return on donor dollars. We fund nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, school-based programs and the library. We measure outcomes and impact when evaluating what organizations to fund and how much.” The Shelby County United Way does not and has never funded Planned Parenthood.

Clients needing assistance can dial 211 from a Shelby County-issued phone or 855-663-8333 from a phone issued outside the county, 24 hours a day/365 days a year to learn more.

Through the third week of the campaign, $183,689 has been pledged towards the annual goal of $1,325,000. Donors can make payroll contributions with participating employers or make a one-time or reoccurring donation by visiting www.shelbycountyunitedway.org or texting SHELBY to 40403.

Staff report

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