- April 26, 2024
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Volunteers help prepackage meals for Hope Place. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Volunteer Center Coordinator Francine Martin, Hunger Fight Community Development Specialist Bonnie Smith and Women United Volusia Vice President Amanda Lasecki. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Women United Volusia Vice President Amanda Lasecki and her daughter Abby help to pack meals for Hope Place. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A group of Ormond Beach volunteers helped to pack meals for the Hunger Fight packing party. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A volunteer packs servings of beans during the Hunger Fight packing party. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A volunteer sorts prepackaged meals for Hope Place. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Back in December 2020, United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties projected a $200,000 shortfall for its annual giving campaign, and in a year where the nonprofit experienced a 200% increase in call volume to its 211 helpline, they knew they had to find a way to continue to fund community services.
Shortly after publicizing United Way's need, the Root Organization, Intracoastal bank and two anonymous donors committed up to $150,000 in match donations for the effort, should United Way be able to raise the same amount in the community.
“That’s a huge undertaking and a big challenge, but we are game for any opportunity to try to help meet the need," said Courtney Edgcomb, president of United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties.
The "Fill the Gap" match campaign began on Feb. 1 and runs through March 31, and as of Friday, March 5, United Way had raised $30,000. Over the weekend, United Way, in partnership with Women United Volusia and Women United Flagler, hosted a series of International Women's Day events to raise funds, including a speaking event featuring a survivor of the Boston marathon bombing, a beach yoga event at Andy Romano Beachfront Park and a Hunger Fight packing party, where volunteers aimed to pack 8,000 meals for Hope Place, a homeless shelter for families in Daytona Beach. It was the first time Women United Volusia and Women United Flagler worked together.
“The support that Women United provide in helping to fundraise for this campaign will directly impact families in our community who are in the most need," Edgcomb said.
A little rain didn't keep volunteers away from the United Way's building on International Speedway Boulevard on Saturday, March 6. From 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., small groups of volunteers filtered in and out, all helping to pack meals for some of the most in need in the community.
Amanda Lasecki, vice president of Women United Volusia, said the packing party was meant to engage the community for a good cause. They partnered with Hunger Fight, a Jacksonville-based nonprofit that aims to provide families with nutritious meals.
“They do so much," Lasecki said. "I think this is going to have a huge impact.”
Women United focuses on the education, health and financial stability of women in the community, and that mirrors United Way's overall mission for families, particularly those who live paycheck to paycheck, Edgcomb said. United Way refers to this group as the ALICE families (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), and they account for about a third of the population in Volusia and Flagler counties, according to the latest report.
Lasecki said there are many opportunities to give back, and with ones like the packing party, you are able to teach the next generation about helping. Her daughter Abby was also there to help.
"Of course, we love for people to donate money and donate goods and things, but also to donate their time," Lasecki said. "It really costs nothing but your time to show up and help your community, and we have a lot of opportunities that we’d love to have people contribute and show up.”
Last year, the need in the community in response to COVID-19 was immediate — families were in need of food and childcare, explained Edgcomb. To help, United Way was able to raise $180,000 for a COVID relief fund to fill those needs.
Now, a year in, the needs, such as mental health, are more longterm, Edgcomb said. Support from Women United's initiatives helps such programs like transitional housing programs, early childhood education and mental health services.
The organization is confident the services and programs they and their partner agencies are able to provide can address those needs. But first, they need to "fill the gap."
“We cannot continue to fund those programs if the community doesn’t step up and support this," Edgcomb said. "For an individual to make a donation right now and have their gift matched, it’s just a great opportunity and I would hate for us to miss out on it.”
Want to help? To donate toward the "Fill the Gap" mathc campaign, text “UWVFCmatch2021” to 41444 or contact United Way directly at 386-253-0563.
