United Way sets higher fundraising goal

The Heart of Missouri United Way kicked off its annual fundraising campaign today and announced a slight increase in its goal, to $3.3 million. The donated money will go to 31 partner agencies running 60 social service programs. 
The economic downturn has made it more difficult for people to donate money, but it’s also caused more people to seek social services because of related job cuts and pay reductions.
Campaign leader Don McCubbin, a Shelter Insurance executive vice president, spoke to about 150 local volunteers at the kickoff celebration in the Tiger Hotel ballroom, and said, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”
United Way Executive Director Tim Rich said donors gave $3.26 million last year, about $50,000 above the goal announced at the 2009 campaign kickoff. Rich pointed out that many agencies have had significant increases in requests for their services while also dealing with federal and state funding cutbacks.
 He gave four examples of the increased need:

• The Voluntary Action Center reports an 8 percent increase in the number of new households that never before sought its services.
• The Community Learning Center has seen a 23 percent increase in low-income children needing services.
• Boys and Girls Club, which provides before-school and after-school programs for at-risk youth, has 200 children on its waiting list.   
• The Central Missouri Food Bank’s local pantry reports that it’s assisting more than 150 families a month who have never asked for food help before.