As many of you know I work for a non-profit organization, Utah Community Action Partnership Association and we work with many community partners across the state to provide immediate needs assistance to needy Utahns. One such community partner is United Way of Salt Lake. United Way of Salt Lake is taking a proactive role in response to the serious challenges presented by the current economic crisis by coordinating donations of cash and products to distribute to our community's front line nonprofit service providers. These increased resources will not only shore up those families and individuals who are struggling during this difficult time, but also create hope for a brighter future for us all. I would encourage you all to take a look at the information below and think about how you can become involved in addressing your communities needs, whether it be by becoming involved in the United Way's program or by supporting other community programs.
One last thing is that the program I work on directly, Earn It.Keep It. Save It - which provide free tax assistance to low-moderate income Utahns, is in need of volunteers. In tax season 2007 our program completed over 16,000 free tax returns across the state, bringing in over $14 million in total tax refunds and credits and saving over $1.6 million in tax preparation fees. These outcomes are awesome and a true testament to our 656 volunteers who worked over 15,000 hours to accomplish these results. However there is always more to do, there are approx 44,000 Utahns who are eligible for free tax help that we are unable to serve as we do not have enough volunteers, so if you are interested in becoming a volunteer tax preparer (no experience needed - really - even I can do it!) please let me know. Training is provided by the IRS and we would love to have you - we have locations all across the state!
Background
The effects of the current economic crisis are all around us. Many families are forced to make decisions between daily needs, such as food, rent, and child care. Local community providers meeting crisis needs are dealing with longer waiting lists and fewer donations. Food bank shelves are bare and people are sleeping on the floor at local shelters. More and more people are seeking credit counseling and mortgage assistance to try to make ends meet. More families have been pushed to the point of desperation resulting in rising numbers of foreclosures. It is impossible to predict the serious challenges that lie ahead.
Call to Action
United Way of Salt Lake is taking a proactive role in response to the serious challenges presented by the current economic crisis by coordinating donations of cash and products to distribute to our community's frontline nonprofit service providers requesting help. We are calling on individuals and organizations in our community to take action in order to keep our neighbors from falling into crisis. These increased resources will not only shore up those families and individuals who are struggling during this difficult time, but also create hope for a brigher future for us all. The following are some examples of ways individuals and organizations can help:
- Make an additional financial contribution beyond your normal level of support
- Contribute to drives for food, baby products, and other needed items
- Talk to your neighbors about getting involved by making a monetary donation or coordinating a drive for needed items
- Send letters to the editor about the importance of supporting this critical effort
- Organize drives for needed items such as food, baby products, and other needed items
- Commit several hours to volunteer work like taking calls at 2-1-1 Info Bank
- Help people improve long-term financial stability by volunteering for our Utah Saves or Earn it. Keep it. Save it. initiatives
No comments:
Post a Comment