Our Impact

The Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank (Start Up)

Several years ago, the issue of hunger and poor nutrition was recognized by the Wiregrass United Way. A decision was made to combat this problem, but there was no single organization that met this need. Many local churches were operating food pantries, but they gathered their food from local grocery stores or from their congregation. The Wiregrass United Way, along with several other community leaders, founded the Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank, which became a member of the "Second Harvest" network, allowing it to access large quantities of food from large national food producers. The Food Bank is now completely independent of the Wiregrass United Way, but has kept our name in their title just as recognition of how they were started.

Tracking Recipient Assistance Control System (Program)

When charitable organizations give out direct monetary assistance to the public, there is a small percentage of recipients who will attempt to abuse the system. This issue has been combated unsuccessfully for many years, but now with the technology of the Internet, a solution is in sight. Using a grant obtained from Verizon, the Wiregrass United Way started the TRAC System, a web-based program that tracks direct aid to individuals, and monitors for patterns of dishonesty. The project is currently still in the development phase, but should be on-line by spring of 2004.

Boost America (Program)

A partnership with Ford Motor Company has created this program, which seeks to disperse free car-seats for children and infants. No child should ever be injured in a car accident because they were not placed in a secure restraint seat. Children from qualifying families can receive a professionally installed booster seat which is rated to fit a child from 40 - 80 pounds in weight.

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (Program)

The Emergency Food & Shelter Program was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local agencies in an effort to help people with economic (not disaster-related) emergencies. The EFSP funding is open to all organizations helping hungry and homeless people. These funds must be used to assist with supplement feeding, sheltering (including transitional sheltering) rent/mortgage and utility assistances efforts only.

The United Way System has been designated as the fiscal agent for the this program, and the Wiregrass United Way distributes these funds in Dale and Houston Counties. Local Agencies make applications to be considered for this funding, and a local panel of volunteers decides which agencies receive these federal grants.

211 Information and Referral Line (Program)

211 is a national initiative started by the United Way of America which seeks to create a universal phone number that any individual can dial to find health and human services in their area. The number would work like 911; it would be toll-free and could be made from any phone in the service area. Once connected, a person would speak to an operator who would screen the caller and direct them towards the proper service agency for their needs.

Here in the wiregrass, The United Way is working with several other organizations as we lay the ground work for a 211 System. Hopefully, there will be increased public discussion in the next year or so, and the system can be operational in the next 2-3 years.