It's summer. School is out. The days are hot and the sun stays with us until late in the evening. There's that lazy feeling in the air.
But for families who are struggling financially, summer can be even more difficult than the rest of the year. Parents with children who normally eat free or reduced-priced breakfasts and lunches at school can no longer rely on those meals as a source of food and nutrition. Instead, they rely on UCM as a dependable source of food to get them through the summer months.
That's why UCM needs your financial support. For the fiscal year ended June 30, more people walked through UCM's doors than at any other time in our 40-year history.
In the last 12 months, through all its programs, UCM served more than 12,000 individuals, including over 5,000 families. But helping more families requires more money, more food, and more people to counsel them. That's why your donation makes such a difference.
When people come to UCM, they often receive much more than just food. Our Basic Needs Counselors give them practical financial counseling on how to budget. Our Workforce Development Center's staff members and volunteers give them access to computers and classes that will let them build a resume and find a job. At Creekside and Sacramento Neighborhood Centers, children and youth have a safe place to spend their time.
Just as importantly, when people come to UCM, our dedicated staff members and volunteers serve them with dignity and offer them hope. They are offered the promise of help in their immediate time of need and the possibility for longer-term stability through UCM's comprehensive programs.
When you give to UCM, you can be confident that you are giving directly to families in need.
Eighty-nine cents ($.89) of every dollar goes directly to our programs. In this time of increased need, UCM has had to do more without an increase in revenue. Like many non-profits, our income has been affected by the current financial crisis. Even so, UCM has not turned away a single person needing emergency services. Will you consider giving us a helping hand?
$67 provides lunch for one child for a month
You can
donate now using our secure online giving portal, JustGive. You can give a one-time gift, or you can space out your contribution by clicking "recurring" on the donation form. Your account will be debited once a month, and you can cancel at any time.
If you prefer, you can send a check to the following address:
UCM
c/o Niki Wanner
7511 Fordson Road
Alexandria, VA 22306
Finally, donations of food are always accepted at our Food Pantry. They can be dropped off at the address above. For a wish-list of food items,
click here.
However you choose to give, we offer our sincere gratitude. Gratitude that we can continue to meet the increase in demand for our services. Gratitude that, by helping a family with their food, their utilities, and their rent, we can add stability to their lives. And gratitude that we can continue to offer hope to those who have come to feel hopeless.
Sincerely,
Cynthia N. Hull
Executive Director
