DAYTONA BEACH -- After taking a hit
from three hurricanes last year, some area agencies will
receive a boost in funding from the local United Way.
The board of directors for the United Way of
Volusia-Flagler Counties approved $2.2 million in funding to
about 50 agencies serving 99 programs -- an increase of 2.3
percent.
Some agencies saw their funding remain the same as last
year while others, on average, saw increases from 1 percent to
4 percent. Three agencies got even higher increases, including
the Daytona Beach branch of the Second Harvest Food Bank of
Central Florida, which had the highest with 32.6 percent.
Ray Salazar, president of the local United Way, said that
in spite of the hurricanes, donors showed a continued
commitment to the community.
"The hurricanes caused so much disruption we were so
fearful that the campaign would have been impacted, but
blessedly, it was not," Salazar said.
Several agencies said the news is good considering the
United Way had to cut funding in 2003.
"I didn't want to go through losing any again," said Gail
Gregory, president of the Mental Health Association, which
will receive $25,141 for its programs, the same amount as last
year. "We all have such a great need."
Salazar said the volunteer fund distribution committee
scores agencies based on categories with essential services --
such as food, clothing and shelter -- being the highest.
Dave Krepcho, executive director of the Second Harvest Food
Bank, said a 32.6 percent increase in funding is "music to our
ears." The Volusia branch will receive $20,352, up from
$15,352.
The branch expects to serve 1.9 million pounds of food to
94 agencies, up from 1.7 million this year to 91 agencies.
Krepcho said partner agencies are seeing an increase in
need from working poor families.
"People who are working are having a tough time making ends
meet. That is really disturbing," Krepcho said. "That should
not be happening in our country."
Diana Christen, executive director of the Family Life
Center in Bunnell, said she is excited the United Way saw the
need for Flagler County. The agency will receive $37,659,
about a 4 percent increase.
The money will help the center add a staff person for the
shelter and another staff person for its outreach program,
which already has 300 open cases, about 100 more than last
year. The shelter has seen about 87 women, up from 58 women
last year. Those numbers do not include the children who also
are staying at the shelter with them.
"We really need to add staff to accommodate all the victims
who are coming forward," Christen said.
The Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, which serves 378 girls
in Flagler County, will receive $5,535 for its program, up
23.8 percent.
The Jewish Federation of Volusia-Flagler Counties will
receive about $14,039 for several of its programs, the same as
last year. But it will receive another $3,500 for its school
supply project, up about 10 percent from last year.
The project, which costs about $70,000 and is funded
through donations, provided backpacks and school supplies to
4,200 youth last year. They hope to serve 4,500 this year if
they receive enough donations.
Gloria Max, executive director of the local Jewish
Federation, said the children are so appreciative.
Max said "there is nothing worse than to go into middle
school and high school and have your peers think you can't
afford" school supplies.
deborah.circelli@news-jrnl.com
The complete funding list will be available Thursday at
http://www.unitedway-vfc.org/
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