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Falling short
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| H&N photo by Andrew Mariman Kent Berry, executive director of the Klamath Falls Gospel Mission, loads a truck with six cases of donated ground beef Thursday at Sherm’s Thunderbird Market. Rotary’s First Harvest program helps make the donations possible. |
Donations are down at local nonprofits as requests for help rise
By STEVE KADEL
H&N Staff Writer
The faltering economy is impacting the amount of charitable giving residents and businesses can afford this year.
“It’s having a significant impact,” said Leroy Cabral, executive director of the United Way of the Klamath Basin.
He pointed to layoffs in the local wood products industry and a sluggish housing industry for taking “a dramatic toll on this town. We have taken some serious losses.”
Cabral rallies volunteers each fall to conduct a three-month capital campaign. The money raised is used to support 16 local nonprofit agencies throughout the year. Any drop in United Way funding adversely impacts those organizations.
It’s harder to raise the money this year, Cabral said.
Many who lost their jobs were previous United Way contributors. That means those who can give are encouraged to give a little more, he said, and those who’ve never given are asked to begin with what they can afford.
The United Way isn’t alone. Donations to the food bank are down 35 percent from the same time last year, and requests for assistance are up 23 percent. The Gospel Mission is feeding more people, and other nonprofits that rely on donations are struggling.
So far, the United Way campaign has hit 70 percent of its $915,000 goal.
Cabral is still optimistic, saying it’s too early to say how much the economy will adversely impact the campaign’s bottom line.
“It’s a tougher challenge because of the economy,” Cabral said, “but we knew going into it that it’s not a favorable economy.”
The Klamath KID Center uses its United Way funding in part to subsidize child care for low-income families.
“If there’s a reduction, it means we can’t give the discounts we give now,” said Cheryl Moe, KID Center director. “We won’t be able to give child care for those with low incomes.”
She added that parents at all income levels deserve to have quality, affordable child care.
Red Cross
A drop in funding also would affect the American Red Cross, another agency that benefits from the United Way.
“About 50 percent of our budget is from United Way dollars,” said Sharla Staal-Bishop, district manager for the Red Cross. “If our United Way money is cut, we just won’t have the delivery of our programs like we do now.”
She said the agency provides a lot of educational programs. Those likely would end if funding dropped.
“That’s probably where I would cut first,” Staal-Bishop said.
She added that Red Cross is mandated to provide disaster relief, such as clothing, food and housing if someone’s home burns down. Staal-Bishop said the local Red Cross office spent twice as much on disaster relief last year as was budgeted, a situation that could get worse if United Way funds are reduced.
The local Salvation Army receives about 14 percent of its operating revenue from United Way. Southern Oregon field representative Debi Leighton said a cut in that funding would result in shorter hours and less direct assistance to the needy in terms of helping with rent payments, utilities or food pantry boxes.
Meeting the challenge
Meanwhile, Cabral expressed optimism that the community would rise to the occasion.
“This is a small town, which makes it like one big family,” he said. “We take care of our own around here, and we will do all we can.
“There are so many organizations that are in the same boat, trying to keep their head above water and continue to deliver quality services to people in need. We are all in this together, and we will get through it together.”
Read more in the print edition of the Herald and News on Sunday and Monday.
“It’s having a significant impact,” said Leroy Cabral, executive director of the United Way of the Klamath Basin.
He pointed to layoffs in the local wood products industry and a sluggish housing industry for taking “a dramatic toll on this town. We have taken some serious losses.”
Cabral rallies volunteers each fall to conduct a three-month capital campaign. The money raised is used to support 16 local nonprofit agencies throughout the year. Any drop in United Way funding adversely impacts those organizations.
It’s harder to raise the money this year, Cabral said.
Many who lost their jobs were previous United Way contributors. That means those who can give are encouraged to give a little more, he said, and those who’ve never given are asked to begin with what they can afford.
The United Way isn’t alone. Donations to the food bank are down 35 percent from the same time last year, and requests for assistance are up 23 percent. The Gospel Mission is feeding more people, and other nonprofits that rely on donations are struggling.
So far, the United Way campaign has hit 70 percent of its $915,000 goal.
Cabral is still optimistic, saying it’s too early to say how much the economy will adversely impact the campaign’s bottom line.
“It’s a tougher challenge because of the economy,” Cabral said, “but we knew going into it that it’s not a favorable economy.”
The Klamath KID Center uses its United Way funding in part to subsidize child care for low-income families.
“If there’s a reduction, it means we can’t give the discounts we give now,” said Cheryl Moe, KID Center director. “We won’t be able to give child care for those with low incomes.”
She added that parents at all income levels deserve to have quality, affordable child care.
Red Cross
A drop in funding also would affect the American Red Cross, another agency that benefits from the United Way.
“About 50 percent of our budget is from United Way dollars,” said Sharla Staal-Bishop, district manager for the Red Cross. “If our United Way money is cut, we just won’t have the delivery of our programs like we do now.”
She said the agency provides a lot of educational programs. Those likely would end if funding dropped.
“That’s probably where I would cut first,” Staal-Bishop said.
She added that Red Cross is mandated to provide disaster relief, such as clothing, food and housing if someone’s home burns down. Staal-Bishop said the local Red Cross office spent twice as much on disaster relief last year as was budgeted, a situation that could get worse if United Way funds are reduced.
The local Salvation Army receives about 14 percent of its operating revenue from United Way. Southern Oregon field representative Debi Leighton said a cut in that funding would result in shorter hours and less direct assistance to the needy in terms of helping with rent payments, utilities or food pantry boxes.
Meeting the challenge
Meanwhile, Cabral expressed optimism that the community would rise to the occasion.
“This is a small town, which makes it like one big family,” he said. “We take care of our own around here, and we will do all we can.
“There are so many organizations that are in the same boat, trying to keep their head above water and continue to deliver quality services to people in need. We are all in this together, and we will get through it together.”
Read more in the print edition of the Herald and News on Sunday and Monday.
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pril wrote on Nov 23, 2008 10:03 AM:
21 & over, there is a charge to get in and please bring nonperishable food to pitch into the can for the food bank. The Legion will be serving a chili dinner! Watch the paper for announcements and keep your eyes peeled around town for flyers with all the information "