What was our worries a year ago?
What was our worries on New Years Eve?
What was our worries a month ago?
How Our United Way Has Responded
I think it’s safe to say what previously worried us has drastically changed as we have grappled with our response to COVID-19 and the challenges that have followed. For our local United Way, we were in the middle of allocation our funds to our agencies. This is an intensive process utilizing a 20 or so volunteers to meet with each agency, review their proposal and financial information in order to make a recommendation to our Board on how much each agency should receive.
As suddenly as COVID 19 has spread in Michigan, we saw business close and begin laying off staff. Our United Way and Board knew we needed to rethink how we allocate this years funds. We made the difficult decision to prioritize our agencies that are feeding our seniors and community members. We are hopeful that as funds continue to come in we are able to continue supporting our agencies that help feed our community and while helping to restore funds to agencies that have taken larger than expected cuts.
What You Can Do
Give.
Can you or your employer make a gift to the United Way? We’ve done the vetting of agencies to ensure they are using dollars appropriately. We’re looking at our community with eyes wide open to ensure no population goes unnoticed and is receiving services.
Advocate.
If your business is open, can you hire more employees? Can you spread the word of how a United Way agency has impacted your life? Can you purchase lunch for your office from a struggling small business? Can you influencers in your network know that there are those in desperate need right now and that our social safety nets are being stretched? If nothing else, advocate to be kind to one another.
Volunteer
We need you.
Your neighbors need you.
Our agencies need you.
During this time, we are better when we come together (while 6 feet apart) to help each other. Think about what you can do to help in your network