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Need soaring,  but funds retreat

United Way campaign in Butler County has raised $1.4 million of its $2.4 million goal. 

Volunteer Letrice Benson with a sample of the Thanksgiving supplies to be handed out at the Family Services of Middletown Choice Pantry.

Staff photo by Pat Auckerman Volunteer Letrice Benson with a sample of the Thanksgiving supplies to be handed out at the Family Services of Middletown Choice Pantry.

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By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer 7:22 PM Monday, November 16, 2009

The single mother of three volunteers at Family Services of Middletown, helping needy families struggling to make ends meet.

Letrice Benson, 29, of Middletown understands their plight.

Unemployed for two years, Benson relies on services at the agency to gain new skills and feed her children.

“It’s very difficult,’’ said Benson. “Not having a job and not knowing where your next meal is coming from is very difficult.”

Benson is one of thousands of people who visit area nonprofit agencies and pantries, which have seen local, state, and federal funding drop by double digits at a time when demand for their services are soaring.

Family Services of Middletown and other agencies may see more cuts in funding this year if the Butler County United Way falls short of its campaign goal.

The Butler County United Way has raised $1.463 million of its $2.450 million goal since launching their annual campaign on Sept. 11.

Officials are anticipating a $230,000 campaign shortfall this year, which would be devastating to United Way funded agencies, especially area pantries, said Maureen Noe, president of the United Way.

“Anything short of that means significant reductions to agencies that have already received reductions from other agencies,’’ Noe said. “... For us to come up short is not a good thing. We need to band together and keep asking people to be generous and give what they can.’’

Area pantries are serving 43 percent more families this year than last year due to the economic downturn.

With unemployment in Butler County at 9.1 percent, 85,000 families have sought help from emergency food pantries this year, up from 59,000 families last year, including many who have never needed assistance before.

Shared Harvest Foodbank Director Tina Osso said she expects to see an increase in clients this year. The foodbank is the primary food supplier for a network of 120 agencies in Butler, Warren, Preble, Darke and Miami counties that are projected to serve 129,000 families this year, up 17 percent from last year when 110,030 were served.

For more information about the United Way or to donate funds, call 513-863-0800 or visit http://www.bc-unitedway.org/.

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