United Way of Bruce Grey issues urgent year-end appeal

The United Way of Bruce Grey is issuing an urgent appeal for support in the last weeks of 2023.

“While we’ve had wonderful support throughout the year from our donors, the average on-line donation has dropped to $106 from $126,” says executive director Francesca Dobbyn, in a press release issued Wednesday.

The most significant challenge for the United Way is that the Backpack Program shortfall was almost $40,000 compared to $20,000 in 2022.

“Since 2018, when we had a jump in the number of requests for backpacks, the fund-raised dollars have not kept up to that need,” says Dobbyn.
 

• Demand for backpacks was up more than 400 from 2022 and 500 from 2021
• Requests for most utility support are up over the previous year’s data assessment, with a small decline in the number of households seeking support for cord wood
• Requests for funding to the United Way focused significantly on food supports for 2023, highlighting the need for emergency food support

Last year, the United Way absorbed a small deficit for the year without impacting the 2023 programming. However, the 2023 gap is significantly larger, and cuts to 2024 programming and support are possible if the deficit is not addressed with 2023 fund-raised dollars.

“While the community has been incredibly supportive this year, costs have climbed significantly along with significant need and demand for services,” says Dobbyn. “We made the unpleasant decision of laying off an administrative staff in the early fall, to try and find savings without affecting front-line programs.”

The challenges facing the United Way are not unique and the agency is listening to staff at other local charities who are also seeing the same challenges.

“It’s rare a day goes by that a community partner doesn’t call looking for help from the United Way to meet the needs in that community,” says Dobbyn.

Please consider donating today. The United Way Bruce Grey needs your help.

WAYS TO DONATE

In person: Donations can be made in person at 380 - 9th Street East, Owen Sound, during regular business hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed Dec. 23-26; open Dec. 27.

Over the phone: Credit card donations can be called in at 519-376-1560 or toll-free at 1-800-794-1728.

By mail: United Way of Bruce Grey, 380 - 9th Street East, Owen Sound, Ontario, N4K 1P1.

On-line: By visiting DonateToday.ca

E-transfers to: manager@unitedwaybg.com *Please include your first and last name and your mailing address in the notes section of your transfer*

For more information, contact Dobbyn at 519-376-1560 or execdir@unitedwaybg.com