{"id":5894,"date":"2009-07-27T23:56:54","date_gmt":"2009-07-28T03:56:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=5894"},"modified":"2020-12-24T10:58:38","modified_gmt":"2020-12-24T15:58:38","slug":"help-for-hard-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2009\/07\/27\/help-for-hard-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Help for Hard Times"},"content":{"rendered":"ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n

The United Way of Allen County held a press conference this afternoon to roll out their new program, Help for Hard Times.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Press release from the United Way:<\/p>\n

United Way Sets Up “Help for Hard Times” Fund to Assist with Increase in Requests for Basic Social Services<\/strong><\/p>\n

United Way of Allen County is asking local residents to donate to a new “Help for Hard Times” fund, set up recently to meet the increasing needs for basic services such as food, shelter and health care.<\/p>\n

Thanks to a $100,000 gift from the American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation provided through Indiana Michigan Power and a $50,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, all individual donations to the fund will be matched three to one. For example, a $5 gift will become a $15 gift. This year, an extra allocation of $119,416 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s emergency food and shelter program will also be distributed through United Way; United Way is designating these dollars for the “Help for Hard Times” fund and will use the money to assist local food banks.<\/p>\n

One hundred percent of all dollars raised will pay for direct services to local residents who are struggling. Services will include food, rent and mortgage assistance, medical and dental assistance and other critical services. The services will be provided by Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, Matthew 25, Neighborhood Health Clinics, the Salvation Army and several food pantries, including those supported by Associated Churches Food Bank and Community Harvest Food Bank.<\/p>\n

As economic conditions worsen, more and more residents are seeking services from local agencies. “We know that people in our community are feeling the effects of the downturn in the economy,” said Helen J. Murray, president and chief operating officer for Indiana Michigan Power, an operating unit of AEP. “We are pleased to join with United Way, the Community Foundation and individuals to help our neighbors in need.”<\/p>\n

According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Allen County’s June 2009 unemployment rate is 11 percent, up from 5.4 percent a year ago; in June 2007 it was 4.7 percent. Examples of increasing needs include the following:<\/p>\n