In response to news from area charities that needs for services are outweighing funds available, the United Way will hold a kettle campaign at businesses in Cape Girardeau and Jackson this weekend.
"We [are] getting the buckets back out but not the bells this time," United Way director Nancy Jernigan said during a Tuesday morning news conference attended by leaders of area charities and businesses inside her organization's headquarters at 430 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. "We don't have enough resources to meet the need."
Similar to the Salvation Army's kettle drive, shoppers will be asked to drop spare change into the kettle. The Friday-through-Sunday kettle drive will take place at Sam's Club, Hobby Lobby, Food Giant, Kmart, West Park Mall and Wal-Mart in Cape Girardeau and Country Mart and Wal-Mart in Jackson. Volunteers are needed for the effort.
Retailers also will hold collections from Friday through Feb. 28. Schnucks will offer shoppers a chance to donate $1, $5 or $10 toward the United Way after they purchase groceries, Kidd's gas stations will allow customers to donate money in a coin can and West Park Mall will have donations at its customer service booth and main office.
The kettle campaign marks the second special giving campaign the United Way has introduced this year. The United Way launched its "Give $5, Tell 5" on Jan. 2.
"Give $5, Tell 5" encourages people to give at least five dollars and then spread the word about the campaign and organization to five friends. Funds collected go toward food, shelter and other basic items for those in need. The campaign ends at the end of the month.
"Somebody has to come through," said Randy Morse of the Scott City Ministerial Alliance. "Somebody has to fill the gap.
"... We're asking everyone to dig deeper," he said. "The more you give, the more you'll get in return."
The Scott City Ministerial Alliance is one of many organizations affected by the recession. Morse has seen an increase in lower- and middle-class people seeking assistance with meals and utility bills. An additional 200 families sought food in 2008, but he said revenue has not been increasing to meet that need.
Another religious organization, the Jackson Ministerial Alliance, reported a 19 percent increase in families requesting food assistance in 2008.
And for its part, the Salvation Army saw decreases in the number of men and children it helped -- from 709 men in 2007 to 620 in 2008 and 196 children in 2007 to 141 in 2008. But it saw increases from 2007 to 2008 in grocery orders, from 8,886 to 9,836; meals served, from 12,338 to 13,924; and people served for the first time, from 6,092 to 7,336.
"In the 24 years we've been with the Salvation Army we've never seen that dramatic of an increase in first-time clients," Maj. Ben Stillwell said. "In trying to project for this year it looks ugly."
For more information on the kettle drive or other United Way campaigns, visit www.unitedwayofsemo.org or call 334-9634.
bblackwell@semissourian.com
388-3628
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