AGENCIES ADDED TO UNITED WAY FUNDING

Two agencies have been added to Area Wide United Way funding: the Cape Girardeau public schools' Children's Fund and the Scott City Nutrition Program.

Both agencies are similar to organizations already receiving United Way money but serve different geographical areas.

The two are among 25 member agencies that will receive money in the upcoming fund-raising campaign.

The Children's Fund is like the Jackson R-2 Children's Fund, which has been a United Way agency for years.

"What both do is provide any type of assistance they feel that children need to help them focus on their education," said Nancy Jernigan, executive director of United Way.

The program in Cape Girardeau has developed over a period of years. School nurses take the lead and work on referrals from teachers and others in the school system. The program isn't highly publicized.

Cape Girardeau's program was funded last year through a one-time grant. This year Jernigan invited the program to join the United Way as a member agency.

"They don't need a lot of money and they have a lot of resources within the community, which they tap," Jernigan said.

The Scott City Nutrition Program serves meals Mondays through Fridays at the Senior Center in Scott City. In addition, meals are delivered to homebound seniors in the city.

Similar nutrition programs receive United Way funding in Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

"Now we have all the area covered for senior nutrition," Jernigan said.

The United Way Board of Directors and other community leaders completed an agency review before naming the 25 member agencies.

Organizers with FISH, a local food bank, asked to be removed from the United Way list, Jernigan said. The organization has developed other resources within the community and decided not to take United Way money, she said.

Other funded organizations: American Red Cross, APPLE, Association for Retarded Citizens, Boy Scouts, cancer research, Cape County 4-H Council, Cape Senior Citizens, CASA, Cape Civic Center, Easter Seals, Gibson Recovery Center, Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, Hoover Eldercare Center, Jackson Ministerial Alliance, Jackson R-2 Children's Fund, Jackson Senior Center, Lutheran Family and Children's Services, Radio Information Services, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence, Safe House for Women and Salvation Army.