Jan 31, 2015 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Greene County United Way’s mission always has been to provide assistance to those in need.

Now, the United Way finds itself in need, financial need, and without an immediate infusion of money, its 17 agencies that count on a yearly allocation may find they will have to do with less, much less.

“I have put out a plea to businesses, corporation and individuals, explaining that one reason we have a shortfall this year is that we lost our second largest donor, Emerald, which as you know, is planning to shut down,” said Barbara Wise, the United Way’s executive director. “Last year, they gave $38,000; this year, they are giving nothing.”

Compounding the problem is other significant donors, such as the university and the hospital, are giving less, thus creating a shortfall of about $58,000.

“Our employee campaign was down $10,000 this year, too,” Wise said.

“Our goal this year was $225,000. So far, we have received $167,000,” she said.

Wise said she is trying to tap the oil and gas industries, and has written letters to various companies asking 25 of them to give $1,000 and five to give $5,000 or more.

“The executive board knows donations are down and it is possible some or all of the agencies may not receive any contributions for 2015 if this plea for additional funding does not materialize,” she said.

Maribeth Coote, executive director of Corner Cupboard Food bank, one of the United Way’s 17 funded agencies, said, “This is so disturbing. We need to get the word out that the United Way is in need of additional contributions from businesses, individuals and corporations.”

However, Wise noted these agencies are not 100 percent dependent on United Way contributions to function. But if they have budgeted for services predicated on a particular amount from the United Way, some of those services or programs may have to be cut.

Some of the other program supported by United Way include 2nd Sam 9, the American Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Bowlby Library, Boy Scouts of America, Catholic Charities, Community Action Southwest, Cornerstone Care, Domestic Violence Services Flenniken Library, Girl Scouts of Southwestern Pennsyvlania, Greene Arc, Salvation Army, SPHS Care Center, Washington ARC Foundation and WWJD.

Wise said the goal of the United Way is to create long-lasting changes in local communities that prevent emergencies from happening. “Now we are having an emergency,” she said.

Last year, programs funded in part by Greene County United Way provided services to more than 15,000 local residents, from expectant mothers and newborns through the oldest members of the community.