United Way of Story County was created for tough times; times like we’re in right now.
UWSC is connecting our community amid COVID-19. We’re relying on our super power: identifying needs, convening partners, leading collaborations and making a difference.
Families once on the edge have been pushed to the brink of crisis. Families who never saw themselves needing to reach out for help are now doing just that. Calls to the 211 helpline are up 1200% over this time last year.
We know the community is hurting, and we want to reassure you we are here.
We were there at the beginning. Forming plans, building new partnerships, working quickly to address priority issues like hunger, child care for essential employees, out of school learning options, homelessness prevention, support for immigrants, and financial stability resources.
Our collaborations are rising up to challenges now more than ever. Our Food Pantry Collaboration and Story County Hunger Collaboration are working to ensure that pantry shelves are stocked, ready, and operating safely. United Way is taking the lead on communicating changes, new resources, and pantry needs to community members. We also have been part of problem-solving and finding innovative solutions. For example, we joined in conversations with the ISU Student Wellness office and ISU Dining as they envisioned a new temporary food pantry, brought together old and new partners to distribute donated pasta, linked school pantries with refrigerated transportation, and connected sheltered youth with food boxes to meet their nutritional needs.
United Way also is working to address new needs that have come about during COVID-19. With United Way as convener, a new emergency fund for immigrants in Story County was born. This has connected some of our most vulnerable neighbors with much needed resources to pay rent, utilities, and other vital necessities. So far, 60 households have been helped and over $30,000 raised.
UWSC is tackling issues important to this community while still supporting our partner agencies and the vital work they take on every day. Our sincere thanks to all of those organizations, our front-line community workers, and our local businesses.
United Way is bringing people together while staying apart and we will be here throughout this crisis and into recovery.
Visit our website to learn more about available resources or to make a gift ensuring those services are available for people in need.