United Way Funding Responds To The Rising Demand For Basic Needs

PR Log (Press Release) – Aug 03, 2009 – In response to our community’s overwhelming need for basic services, including food and shelter, United Way of San Diego County has made a funding opportunity available on a one-time basis to address this increased demand. Nine agencies—Access to Independence, Alliance for African Assistance, Community Resource Center, Crisis House, HomeStart, Interfaith Community Services, Salvation Army, South Bay Community Services, and Veterans Village—have received a total of $550,000.

“This funding will help health and human service organizations increase their capacity to serve those individuals and families at risk for first-time homelessness,” said United Way President & CEO Doug Sawyer. “It will also allow case managers to work with the higher number of people coming into agencies in recent months.”

In San Diego County, more middle-class families are seeking help than ever before. Local agencies have seen a 73% increase in first-time assistance among individuals and families. In 2008, the San Diego Food Bank saw a 76% spike, while our county’s assistance and referral agency, 211, reports a 48% increase over this time last year in calls seeking emergency food assistance.

“The Salvation Army has seen a dramatic increase in those families and individuals seeking help for the first time,” said Major Linda Markiewicz, Divisional Commander, Sierra del Mar Division of the Salvation Army. “This assistance from the United Way will give San Diegans hope for the future knowing that their community truly cares.”

For more information about the Basic Needs funding, contact Carol Williams, Vice President, Community Impact, at 858.636.4177 or email her at cwilliams@uwsd.org.