By RICK KAZMER Community Relationship & Marketing Manager
When government budget delays impacted food security programs in our region late last year, United Way of the Southern Alleghenies asked its supporters for help -- and the response was great.
Individuals and trusted partners in the community stepped up, raising $27,000 specifically to help our friends and neighbors who are at risk of going hungry. The funding helped to address an immediate need that continues to impact families in Blair, Cambria, and Somerset Counties.
“Delayed SNAP benefits, budget impasses, changes to public policy, and rising costs created the perfect storm for food insecurity. Our funders and community quickly rallied to prevent what could have been a catastrophic situation,” noted United Way President Karen Struble.
There was $15,000 in matching gifts from community partners that provided a great base amount, and the community stepped up to give the rest. The donors designated their gifts to specific counties.
As part of the allocation, 19 Cambria food pantries and meal centers will be given $1,000 each to meet increased demand for services. One program received money for a freezer replacement to maintain their storage capacity. Other projects that provide holiday meals were also included.
United Way kept about $1,295 in reserve to help emergency needs as they arise in the coming year.
Last year, United Way helped people in our communities obtain food from a pantry 41,559 times.
CPV Rogue's Wind, owned by Competitive Power Ventures, and The Polacek Family Partnership Fund at the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies provided the matching gifts.