The $6 Million Goal, Why It’s Big, and Why We’re Doing It

Blog post by Neva Geisler, Director of Volunteer Engagement

We’re going to raise $6 million during this year’s campaign.

I say this with confidence because I believe it. I believe it so much, in fact, that I’m already thinking of the agencies who are going to be relieved to hear that in an economic downturn, when their resources are being stressed to the max, they’re going to get a little extra help from their community.

I believe it because the Idaho Foodbank just told me not to send over a group of volunteers because they didn’t have enough food on their shelves for them to sort. I believe it because Jesse Tree, an emergency rental assistance agency who receives UW grant money, recently told us they are receiving more requests for help from intact families than ever before.

Hardworking people who are living paycheck to paycheck, are struggling under dramatic increases in food, energy and gas prices. When they can’t quite make it to the next paycheck, these are the services that are there to make sure they don’t fall through the cracks.

And it’s not just these emergency services, it’s the stuff that prevents people from being at risk in the first place–it’s programs that help youth reach their potential, families achieve financial stability, and substance abuse recovery and mental health crisis services. Last year’s community donations are at work at more than 30 different agencies in the Treasure Valley. View the list.  

When you look at the web of services, how they all work together to lift people to a better quality of life, it is impossible to choose where you’d make the cuts.

Which is why I believe that we can raise $6 million–because we can and we have to.

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Filed under: Community Impact Investments, Reasons to Give, Treasure Valley