Campaign allocations impact thousands of local residents, providing necessary services, enrichment opportunties

Campaign allocations impact thousands of local residents, providing necessary services, enrichment opportunties Image

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  During Hopkins County United Way Lead Donor/CEO apreciation luncheon Wednesday Heather White, executive director of Hopkins County Community Chest, explains the vital role Hopkins County United Way plays in being able to provide necessities and assistance to local residents facing financial challenges. Staff Photo

  During Hopkins County United Way Lead Donor/CEO apreciation luncheon Wednesday Heather White, executive director of Hopkins County Community Chest, explains the vital role Hopkins County United Way plays in being able to provide necessities and assistance to local residents facing financial challenges. Staff Photo

Faith Huffman Fri, 09/27/2024 - 22:01 Subhead | Hopkins County United Way Body

Hopkins County United Way this year is asking those who can to give a little bit more to help meet the $160,000 goal which will benefit 18 local agencies, reaching all age groups with enrichment program and helping benefitting organizations meet the growing need of individuals in this community for help with basic needs such as food, housing and utility assistance and training for advocates of abused and neglected children, and individuals facing crisis.

“We believe in our guts in what United Way is doing. We believe for more money, more reach and more overall impact for United Way to grow. Need is growing. If you can give more, I encourage you to give. We’d like to see these needs decrease, see recipients be givers in a few years,” HCUW 2024-2025 Campaign Chair Lyndsay Palmer told the representatives from companies and groups that were among the top 15 contributors to last years’ campaign attending a luncheon to not only recognizing them for their generosity in outstanding pledges and contributions last year. The lunch also served a kickoff lunch to introduce the lead donors and executives to this year’s campaign, to explain the theme and how the campaign helps and benefits the entire community, especially those in need.

One only has to stop by Hopkins County Community Chest to see the direct impact HCUW’s annual contribution is making in Hopkins County community.

Heather White, director of Hopkins County Community Chest, said the program which served 4,651 Hopkins County people in 2023 would not exist without United Way and other contributors. Last year, Community Chest was allocated $41,000 of the HCUW campaign goal to help Hopkins County residents who are at or below the poverty level meet basic needs of food, shelter, utilities and hygiene; and gain access to medical and dental care. That’s up from the 3,442 people Community Chest was able to help in 2022, thanks in part to HCUW and other contributors, and community partnerships with other agencies such as CANHelp which are also HCUW recipients.

White said the need is even greater this year. In August 2023, Community Chest provided food assistance to 529 families. Last month, Community Chest served 806 families, many of whom were one paycheck away from losing the roof over their heads, or having the electricity shut off during the hottest part of summer.

She said regardless of the cause — inflation, job market, election year or other — needs for basic needs in Hopkins County have grown, making organizations such as Community Chest, CANHelp, Community Cupboard, Meal A Day and CANHelp vital. They “ensure those folks get the help they need,” according to White.

“I cannot thank you enough for your generosity or say enough how much it helps. We partner with other agencies from the [HCUW 2024-2025 campaign allocations] pamphlet. I can call CANHelp. I can say we can help with electricity bills, and Brian Crump [CANHelp, executive director] might say OK, we can help with water and gas. We work together to help clients. Many agencies use Charity Check an app that allows us to write notes we can use to meet community need and help,” White said.

Community Chest allows those receiving food assistance the ability to do so with dignity in a manner that allows them to select the foods that best fit their home. The pantry is set up much like a grocery store. People come in, are given a certain number of each group of food (ex. grains, meats) and unlimited fresh produce, and even some prepackaged meals such as Hello Fresh bags. People are allowed to select exactly what they need to feed their family, what their kids will eat within their “budget.” Community Chest receives 12 pallets of produce weekly which those receiving help can choose from. For instance, if a family wants, they can select a 50 pound bag of potatoes. Even if they do not use all 50 pounds, they often share with others who are struggling, who learn about the help available from Community Chest so they too can be assisted as needed. She said often, people come in almost crying, wondering how they are going to feed their families, their kids, and leave trying to figure out how to fit the bounty they have selected into their vehicle, according to the HCCC director.

Many of basic assistance agencies work together, referring people for other assistance they may need. Community Chest also has a limited amount of resources available to help those in need of help paying an electric bill or gaining access for help for eye and dental care. Representatives from a state agency are also on site twice a month to help people who’ve had trouble receiving assistance figure out how two get the most help with programs available in this community, White explained.

Hopkins County United Way Budget and Allocations Committee spend two days listening to request from agencies, then vetting the information to be sure what they are doing is valid, and so potential donors can be confident where their contributions are going.

With 99% of the funds staying local, 18 nonprofits have been allocated funds from the 2024-2025 HCUW campaign, which will span through the month of October.

Campaign Chair Lyndsay Palmer said while the goal is $160,000, Hopkins County United Way hopes to make their largest financial contribution yet to support the growing needs within our community. Last year, the community allowed HCUW to not only meet but exceed the $150,000 campaign goal, with extra going to the recipient agencies to do even more to help meet community needs. She hopes this year, those in the community who are able will continue to give generously so that even more Hopkins County residents can be served through the 20242025 campaign.

HCUW Co-Presidents KK McKenzie and Jessica McInnis offered gratitude to all of the business representatives and CEOS presents, as well as the many who generously contribute to HCUW, making the campaign successful and it’s outreach for the community successful as well.

Donation packets are being distributed to businesses, financial institutions and groups in the community. In addition to giving through places of works or civic groups, HCUW has made available additional ways for anyone who is able and wanting to support this year’s campaign to do so.

Donations may be made by contacting any HCUW campaign worker, board or committee member Co-Presidents Jessica McInnis and KK McKenzie, Campaign Chair Lyndsay Palmer; by calling Executive Secretary Susan Berning at campaign headquarters at 903-243-4066 to arrange to have a donation picked up; mailed to Hopkins County United Way Campaign Headquarters, PO Box 735, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; or via PayPal and Venmo on United Way website www.hcuw. org or Facebook pages.