The United Way of St. Francois County awarded the largest amount of grants to date during the annual grant presentation held on Tuesday at the Farmington Public Library.
A total of nearly $200,000 was awarded to 33 agencies more than $20,000 over last years total.
I thought it was one of the neatest, biggest that weve had so far, Executive Director Clay Whitener said. We gave away more money than we ever have before we earned a little more, so we were able to give back a whole lot more."
Whitener addressed those representing the agencies receiving grants stating he sees the work they do and how hard the work can be.
We appreciate your support of us, and in an effort to show our appreciation for what all of you do thats why this day is here, he said.
Mark Toti, president of the United Way board, introduced the agencies receiving grant funds and gave a few statistics of the work those organizations provide in the county.
More than 140,000 meals are served through the four senior centers and Meals on Wheels for Special Diets program; more than 50,000 individuals receive assistance through the seven food pantries in the county. Grant monies were also received by the five Caring Communities programs serving the students in each of the countys five school districts, as well as 16 agencies able to continue specific services to the county through the grants received.
Agencies awarded this year include Bismarck Senior Center, Bonne Terre Senior Center, Farmington Senior Center, Park Hills Senior Center, Meals on Wheels for Special Diets, Central Caring Communities, West County Caring Communities, Bismarck Caring Communities, Farmington Caring Communities, North County Caring Communities, Bonne Terre Food Pantry, Bismarck Church of God Food Pantry, Elvins Food Pantry, Farmington Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, St. Vincent de Paul at Immaculate Conception Church in Park Hills, St. Vincent de Paul at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Farmington, House of Praise Food Pantry in Desloge, Childrens Advocacy Center, East Missouri Action Agency, Habitat for Humanity of St. Francois County, L.I.F.E Center for Independent Living, Parkland Foster Adopt Families, Parkland Pregnancy Resource Center, SEMO Family Violence Council, Shared Blessings Homeless Shelter, Young Faith in Christ, Upward Smiles Dental Clinic, Salvation Army, St. Francois County Mental Health Board, Visions of Hope, St. Francois County Health Center, BJC Behavioral Health Club House, and St. Francois County Community Partnership.
Donations to the United Way of St. Francois County are made in a variety of ways. Some donations are received through payroll deduction or through charitable donations, memorial gifts or legacy gifts.
Fundraiser events also raise money for the grants provided, such as Dine Out for United Way, bell ringing during the holiday season, Sing United or the Girls Night Out event.
Every contribution goes toward the grants the United Way pledges to give each year to agencies in St. Francois County that help people in need, with 100 percent of every financial gift to United Way of St. Francois County going to the local agencies funded by United Way.
Planning is already underway for raising money toward next years grant presentation.
Right now, were trying to get ready for fall, Whitener said. (The time frame for) bell ringing is pretty well scheduled. Were going to start a little bit before the Thanksgiving holiday (when) everybody is in the giving spirit and theyre not really sure how to help. Dine Out (for the United Way) is going to last two months instead of four.
Whitener said payroll deduction is a year-round way businesses and corporations and their employees can help those agencies.
The United Way of St. Francois County is recognized by the IRS as a 501c organization. Organized in 1994, the local United Way exists to raise funds for local agencies to meet the needs of people in St. Francois County.
Originally posted here:
A day of giving - Daily Journal Online
