MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — United Way of Reno County has launched its annual campaign with a goal of raising $1.35 million to support local nonprofit programs and improve financial stability for working households.
The campaign will provide funding for 38 programs operated by 22 agencies. Those programs are expected to serve approximately 25,000 people during the coming year.
“We hit right at $1.35 million last year, and we decided we’re going to let that ride for one more year,” Carla Stanfield said. “We all know grocery store prices and gas prices aren’t dropping tremendously, so we want to give folks the opportunity to live life the way they need to and also consider being charitable with United Way.”
Christena and David Weber of Weber Auto Glass will serve as campaign co-chairs. Both are longtime United Way volunteers and donors who have supported several other community organizations.
“They are philanthropic at their core,” Stanfield said. “They are just the perfect couple as far as local business owners. We’re always looking for that face of someone local who’s engaged.”
Christena Weber said contributions remain in the community and may help someone the donor knows. Programs supported by United Way include the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and sliding-scale end-of-life care through Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County.
Alongside the fundraising campaign, United Way announced a five-year initiative focused on Reno County’s ALICE population.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The term describes people who are working and earn too much to qualify for many public assistance programs but do not make enough to consistently afford housing, child care, food, transportation and other necessities.
United Way reports that 41% of Reno County households are either below the ALICE threshold or living in poverty. The organization’s goal is to reduce that figure by 5 percentage points, to 36%, during the next five years.
“These are folks who are working but are living, quite frankly, paycheck to paycheck,” Stanfield said. “One instance of severe financial hardship could take them from a moment of stability into a moment of crisis.”
Campaign contributions will help local agencies meet immediate needs while supporting programs intended to create long-term stability and economic opportunity.
This year’s campaign also coincides with United Way of Reno County’s 90th anniversary. The organization was established as a Community Chest in 1936 and has operated as an official United Way organization for the past 50 years.
“For nine decades, Reno County residents have come together to invest in their neighbors, meet needs and create opportunities,” United Way CEO Lacey Mills said. “Meeting our campaign goal and making progress toward our bold ALICE goal will take our community uniting — both in giving now to help those in need and dreaming together aboutroch what the future holds for Reno County.”
More information and online donations are available at uwrenocounty.org.