Marshalltown Area United Way is in the midst of the annual campaign, collaboratively raising funds to support 30 programs administered by 27 local partner agencies. With six weeks left until the year-end close of the campaign, $420,093 has been raised, which is 46.7% of the $900,000 needed by the agencies to maintain current programming.

Emphasizing the need, Executive Director Kendra Sorensen stated, “It is critical that we meet campaign goal as it doesn’t represent just a number, but rather the amount of required funds to merely sustain current programming. When the campaign falls short, funding cuts must be made which results in less individuals having access to services to advance healthy lifestyles, fewer being able to leverage educational opportunities, and a reduction of families being set on a path to achieve financial independence.”

Both through these programs and in partnership with other local businesses and entities, Marshalltown Area United Way and the partner agencies are working together to build solutions for those in our community for whom the holidays are anything but happy. Pressing challenges and outright needs range from warm clothes, shelter, to food insecurity and beyond.

In his Proclamation of November 17-23 as Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, the focus of which is “Volunteer. Donate. Educate,” Mayor Joel Greer identified some local entities committed to providing aid. Greer states, “We recognize that hunger and homelessness continue to be serious problems for many individuals and families here and encourage all citizens to recognize that many people do not have housing and need support from citizens and private/public nonprofit service entities.” Several partner agencies are named in his proclamation, including ACCESS, The Bridge home, MICA, House of Compassion, The Salvation Army, and YSS of Marshall County.

David Hicks, Senior Director of Community Engagement for partner agency YSS of Marshall County, shared that YSS has an amazing partnership with MARSHALLTOWN COMPANY, working with Stacy Kelley, who helps to coordinate MARSHALLTOWN COMPANY’s effort. They are providing gifts and goods to 23 YSS clients who have no other means of support, across 3 of their programs for Christmas. In addition, they are supplying Thanksgiving meals “to go” for 29 young people YSS serves – 20 who are in the Aftercare program (young adults aging out of foster care) and 9 in the transitional living/rapid rehousing programs (formerly homeless).

YSS had 5 women ages 40-60 come in over the past 14 days to pick up the homeless backpacks with supplies donated by the ELKS club. The backpacks include a sleeping bag and other items, and YSS provides hygiene products and home-made sleep-mats as well.

In addition to its ubiquitous bell-ringing Red Kettle Campaign, The Salvation Army is offering its annual Thanksgiving Fellowship & Food meal on Thanksgiving Day from 11am-1pm, which is typically attended by over 150 individuals and another 40 will receive the meal delivered to their home. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts and a food box for

hundreds of children in Marshall County, and families without eligible children can still sign up to receive a Christmas Meal Food Box. Envoy John Hofer shared that last year just over 400 children received and this year they have already received nearly 500 applications.

But though these impactful examples show that relief is available to some during the holidays, there are many in our community who continue to face food and housing insecurity during the holidays and throughout the year. Local food pantries empty as quickly as they are filled and are inaccessible to many who lack reliable transportation. There is no emergency shelter in Marshall County, so a Homelessness Task Force composed of volunteer citizen stakeholders has been formed to investigate solutions for this issue. Only a few local agencies offer rent assistance, and those funds are always exhausted during the first few days of each month.

“At Marshalltown Area United Way, we position ourselves to listen and respond to local needs. Data sources show that one of the hardships in Marshall County is housing needs such as shelter, rent assistance, and rental deposits. This is why Marshalltown Area United Way is passionate about assisting with collaboration efforts on the Homelessness Task Force along with bringing awareness and educating the public.” shared Sorensen, who also serves as Co-Chair of the Homelessness Task Force along with Jasmin Banderas, Program Supervisor at Child, Adolescent, & Parent Support (CAPS).

Marshalltown Area United Way’s goal is to mobilize our community to action so all can thrive. With a wide net of community support, thousands of our neighbors can have their basic needs met during the holidays.

From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, Marshalltown Area United Way and local agencies are working towards a future where every person in Marshall County can reach their full potential.

For more information and to make donations to the campaign which helps those struggling during the holidays and throughout the year, visit www.unitedwaymarshalltown.org.

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Michelle Roseburrough is the events and marketing coordinator for the Marshalltown Area United Way.