The United Way of the CSRA is changing its perspective this fundraising season.
Instead of announcing a dollar amount as its goal at the Aug. 22 campaign kickoff breakfast at First Baptist Church of Augusta, officials are focusing on impact by pledging to help 30,000 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income-Constrained and Employed) households by 2030.
“Our neighbors shouldn’t have to struggle between buying groceries, paying rent to keep a roof over their heads or worrying about utility bills that seem to keep rising. Wouldn’t it be great if the CSRA was a place where everyone thrived? Our goal at the United Way is to help bring all families the support they need to achieve financial stability,” said Joe Klecha, United Way of the CSRA board chairman.
The United Way, which funds 40 programs at 21 partner agencies, estimates that nearly half of the residents who live in its 11 Georgia and two South Carolina county service area fall into the ALICE designation of families who are often above federal poverty guidelines but still can’t make ends meet. Fifty-five percent of Richmond County residents are considered ALICE while 35% of Columbia County residents are. Rural counties such as Taliaferro have 60% of its residents as ALICE.
In 2024, the United Way’s helpline received 33,279 calls, most of them were requests for rent/mortgage assistance, utility help, food access, transportation and shelter.
Many already live on a razor-thin margin and Hurricane Helene wreaked even more havoc financially on families in the area, according to Brittany Burnett, United Way president and CEO.
The organization created new initiatives and formed new partnerships in the aftermath of the devastating storm.
Burnett said many families needed food assistance but didn’t have transportation to get to a food pantry. Project Dash delivered emergency meals to more than 110 people.
Another new program is Mission United designed to help veterans and active-duty military.
“The United Way continues to transform and change based on the everyday needs of the community,” she said.
After the luncheon, about 400 volunteers went to United Way agencies such as Salvation Army, Child Enrichment, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta, The Master’s Table Soup Kitchen and the Family Y to participate in Project Serve. Among their volunteer efforts were serving meals and doing landscaping and repair projects.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards and received the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
