61,048 meals for local food pantries – that is how the United Way of Washington County kicked off its annual campaign on September 17th. Over 525 volunteers participated in helping to package meals in less than two hours at the campaign kick-off event held Tuesday night at Washington County Fair Park.
“The first goal we set for the campaign was to mobilize 200+ volunteers to help with a growing need in Washington County- hunger,” stated Kristin Brandner, United Way Executive Director. “To have more than double the number of volunteers we originally planned to recruit has been inspiring and speaks volumes to the caring residents of our local community.”
Volunteers as individuals and in teams took on different roles to assemble and box up the macaroni and cheese meal packages which were donated to six food pantries and two homeless shelters. Joyce Garbaciak from Channel 12 News emceed the event.
“Hunger is an issue affecting every size community today, both locally and nationally,” explained Kris O’Meara who is co-chairing the 2013 United Way Campaign with her husband Dr. Mark O’Meara. “Last year during a peak month in November, 1,098 families received food from the six food pantries in Washington County; over 400 new families utilized services from the Full Shelf Food Pantry in West Bend for the first time. That is why we decided to focus our campaign kickoff in a way that increased awareness about hunger and provided a hands-on project so community members could immediately help.”
The second goal set for the 2013 campaign is a monetary goal needed to fund the programs and initiatives that address Washington County communities’ most critical problems. The 2013 goal announced was $1,350,000, up 12.5% from the $1,200,000 raised last year.
With the growing demand for basic need programs, United Way has set a vision to address the root cause of community problems. A new initiative that will focus on employment- jobs with family sustaining wages and work skill training- was announced. Over the next few months, United Way will work with community members to define strategies and community programs needed to make lasting changes in this area.
“Mark and I support the mission of United Way and its new mobilizing communities’ impact model,” said Kris O’Meara, campaign co-chair. “We are rolling up our sleeves to be part of the solution and encouraging others to join us. We firmly believe that everyone plays a role in supporting our community.”
Benjamin Franklin’s quote “what good shall I do this day?” is the O’Meara’s call-to-action for this year’s campaign. “Just think what else we could do if every citizen asked that very question,” asked Kris. “Providing over 60,000 meals is just the start of the impact we can make living united and working together.”
United Way provides an opportunity for community members to give back and pay it forward through giving, advocating and volunteering. The United Way annual campaign runs now through December 31, 2013. Donations raised by this year’s United Way of Washington County’s campaign will be used to fund over 33 programs offered by 22 United Way partner agencies in addition to providing support to new root cause initiatives. To learn more about the needs in Washington County, how your donations support those in need, or to make a donation online, go to the United Way website at www.unitedwayofwashingtoncounty.org.
About United Way of Washington County:
Mission is to mobilize the caring power of Washington County to improve lives and community conditions in measurable and lasting ways. United Way is a volunteer-driven organization that serves all communities in Washington County. It is governed by a board of community volunteers, dedicated to providing funding and community resources for health and human services needs in the areas of Education, Income and Health.
