“United Way believes the three pillars for a healthy community are health related issues, education related issues and financial related issues,” Pedraza said. “We try to give to non-profits who make a direct impact on them for our communities.”
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Overall, the organization will be distributing 2.7 percent more than it did last year. The organizations that received the most money this year were WellSpring which received $108,000, Interfaith Hospitality Network which received $98,000 and Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio which will receive $82,500.
Pedraza said the money comes from donations from everyday people.
“We have a relationship with companies as well as individual donors,” she said. “The majority of our donations come from workplace campaigns.”
MORE: Clark, Champaign United Way works to start literacy program
Local employers offer their employees an opportunity to donate a small part of their biweekly check to United Way. Pedraza said though an individual employee doesn’t donate a lot, when you combine every ones charity the United Way can do special things with it.
“We are fortunate enough to have these relationships and an everyday joe can give where its comfortable and it does so much good,” Pedraza said. “Even a small amount of money coming out of their pay can change lives.”
One local organization that will receive money from the United Way will be Caring Kitchen in Urbana. Pedraza said giving in Champaign County increased 7.4 percent over the last year.
EXTRA: United Way raised $1.5 million last year
Caring Kitchen offers many services to those in need in Champaign County including a shelter and a soup kitchen that feeds 75 to 125 people a day, director Marilyn Cohn said.
The non-profit will be getting $35,000 this year from the United Way.
“We are extremely excited to get the money,” Cohn said. “Caring Kitchen was the United Way agency of the year this year.”
She said Caring Kitchen’s relationship with the United Way has to be strong because it relies on their support to do good in the community.
“We are the only shelter in Champaign County and we are open for lunch and dinner at the shelter. There is a huge need for food and meals. There is a great need for the community.”
She said $25,000 will go towards the shelter part of Caring Kitchen while the rest will help pay for the soup kitchen.
“We are very pleased that we are supported the way we are,” she said.
Resident Adele Henderson was seen last week donating shoes and other items to the shelter. She said she likes giving to Caring Kitchen because she knows it goes straight to the people in her community.
“I’ve known some people who have stayed here,” she said. “I think it’s a good thing.
“I think it’s good that this county has a place like this.”
The United Way selects the agencies it gives money to through a committee of volunteers and donors who come from various backgrounds and walks of life, Pedraza said. The United Way tries to help every organization and there are very few examples of agencies who attempted to get funding but be denied.
“They are thrilled that we recognize the value of their work and give resources to them the best way that we can.”
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By the numbers:
$847,485: Amount of money given away by the United Way to local non-profits.
7.4 percent: Increase in giving by Champaign County during the recent giving campaign.
2.6 percent: Increase in giving by Clark County during the recent giving campaign.
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