The United Way of Crookston has reached its fundraising goal for the year. Director Lori Wagner thanked those who have donated thus far this year. “We reach our goal for the United Way,” said Wagner. “I’d like to thank all the donors because I’d say the United Way is the stewards of all the dollars that we get. So, thank you to all the donors. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to make it. We made it last week, and of course, we don’t stop raising money until October. It goes from October to October, Soup, and Chili to Soup and Chili, let’s say. We have raised our dollars for our goal for the year, so again, thank you, donors, and thank you all businesses and individuals.”
Wagner said the board would meet to finalize allocations to local agencies Wednesday afternoon and that with canceling their award and wine social will likely be distributing checks earlier this year. “We had allocations last week for our agencies,” said Wagner. “The board has all met, and we’re going to finalize that today at 3:00 p.m. and give our checks out. We are canceling our annual awards and wine social at the moment and probably just sending out our checks a little earlier than we thought. We’re going to decide that at 3:00 p.m. today because they probably need their money sooner than later.”
Last year the United Way raised more than $20,000 above its goal, and Wagner said all that money was added to the allocations for agencies requesting funding this year. “Last year, we went over $20,000,” said Wagner. “We stuck that money, over $20,000, into our allocation fund. So, that money is being distributed right now to the agencies that asked for money this year. The money is going into our community, so if anybody is asking where all the extra money went, that is where it went this year.”
Also, on Wednesday, the United Way donated to the New Hope Food Shelf that opened this week at the Care and Share. “We gave $3,500 to the food shelf,” said Wagner. “That will also help for the food drop that is going off to the different wards that they are doing as well for the community. They are looking for more volunteers for that as well. You can get a hold of Rachel at Care and Share for that. It’s awesome that the food shelf opened, and I appreciate the Care and Share doing that, so we did give a $3,500 donation to them. I’m sure they are going to be needing more, so if anybody would else like to donate, that would be great. United Way is keeping their finger and pulse on that very much so, so this is probably just phase one.”
The United Way Jail and Bail public event has also been canceled at Hugo’s, but the United Way is still collecting bail money. It can be mailed to the United Way at Post Office Box 218, Crookston, MN 56716. Bail can also be dropped off at Crookston Hugo’s Customer Service counter or can be dropped off at the dropbox outside the United Way office at Valley Technology Park.
The United Way gives to non-profit 501-C3 agencies and their programs and projects that impact our community. They do not have the ability to give out money to individuals. All of our agencies and the descriptions of their programs are on our new website: www.unitedwayofcrookston.org
