A widening gap between those in need and available donations is something no community support operation wants to hear.

United Way Thunder Bay is appealing to the public for donations to help make up for a shortfall of $1M that didn’t get raised at the end of 2022.

CEO Albert Brulé told media there’s been a steady decline in fundraising revenue since 2016 when that campaign raised over $2.6 million but when compared to 2021’s campaign that only raised $1.6 million, a million dollar difference. Brulé says that represents a huge loss in terms of funding for services to help meet basic needs of disadvantage individuals and families in Thunder Bay.

United Way Thunder Bay has been fundraising for local community programs for 50 years with steady increases in funds raised until they unknowningly hit their peak fundraising amount in 2016.

Since then, UWTH has seen a steady decline in cash flow.

The Dew Drop Inn is one of the community organizations that benefits from the cash raised and they fear that the lack of donations will affect their service to a community in need.

It was last year that the Dew Drop Inn broke the record by serving 120k meals.

Anf already in January 2023, they saw a 27% increase in meals served.

Brulé has said thay time is of the essence for dinationa foe the 2022 campaign. From jow until Feb. 28, the UWTB will accept donations and put them directly towards the 2021 campaign fundraosing goal.

To make a donation to United Way Thunder Bay, you can click HERE.