United Way Announces 2013-14 Funding to Nonprofit Programs

Christine Patterson, program director for the Inez Martin Backpack Program, shows United Way board member Maria Jones a typical backpack filled with weekend food that can be enjoyed by a child even without adult supervision. United Way is granting Wesley House $9,135 to help fund the program for 12 months.

Thanks to generous giving by individuals and organizations throughout Monroe County, the United Way of the Florida Keys has just announced over $150,000 in annual grants to 13 local nonprofit programs.   

“The United Way is able to give out 20% more money to programs in the Keys this year, thanks to ongoing payroll deductions from loyal residents, annual gifts, and corporate gifts including our top donor Publix Supermarkets,” said United Way of the Florida Keys president Margie Smith.   

“We still have a long way to go in increasing our campaign to meet community needs. This year’s selection process was especially challenging with so many programs providing critical services for local families that are going through tough times,” she said. 

According to United Way of the Florida Keys board chairwoman Candy Fincke, the organization made a strategic decision to allocate more dollars to fewer agencies this year, focusing on programs that provide healthy food and child care to the largest number of low-income working Keys residents. These two priorities were the result of a strategic planning retreat in 2010, and the areas where the United Way board decided it can most move the needle in Monroe County. 

All food pantries and food programs received increased funding from last year, notably Star of the Sea in Key West which will receive nearly $22,000 in funding for the year, up from $10,000 last year. The agency’s application said it will serve 6,700 unique clients, partnering with other nonprofits in its distribution of fresh produce to low-income individuals. The United Way grant to the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter more than tripled from last year, receiving $17,175 in funding to purchase nutritious food for children in Key West shelters. 

Marathon Recreation Center, one of the only low-cost child care options in the Middle Keys, will receive nearly $17,500, up from its $10,000 grant last year. United Way more than doubled its funding to Womankind with a grant of $8,105 compared to $4,000 last year. The money will help provide free services to 200 unique clients through its Teen Clinic. 

Our United Way wants to give as much as possible to local programs that are making a remarkable difference in our community, specifically providing healthy food and a nurturing environment to Monroe County children. They are the future of our county, and giving them the tools for success can help reduce the need for services all together, Smith said.   

“Investing in children early pays huge benefits,” according to United Way of the Florida Keys board member Andy Griffiths. In my position of chair of the Monroe County school board, I understand the impact of children starting school without the proper readiness. Food also plays a big part in readiness. Children cannot learn if they are hungry.” 

Two organizations have been named United Way agencies for the first time: Independence Cay will receive $7,674 for its Marathon soup kitchen providing more than 10,000 hot meals during the year, and the Bahama Village Music Program which says it will use its United Way grant of approximately $3,500 to provide a safe after school learning environment for 156 Key West children. 

Wesley House Family Services will receive support for the Nutritional Backpack Program at Inez Martin Child Development Center in Key West, a new project not previously funded by United Way. A United Way grant of over $9,100 will buy food for eligible children ages 2-5, carried home on Friday afternoons in 1,000 backpacks. Teachers noticed that these children, who received free meals at school during the week, arrived too hungry to be able to learn on Monday mornings, due to not getting enough to eat over the weekend.  

A total of 21 agencies submitted applications requesting $323,000 in funding.

Click here for the full list of programs funded for 2013-14.

Click here for a .pdf of this press release.