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 the basic needs of disadvantaged individuals and families in Thunder Bay.

United Way Thunder Bay has been fundraising for local community programs for 50 years with steady raises in funds until they unknowingly 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 benefit from the cash raised and they fear that the lack of donations will affect their service to a community in need.

Last year, the Dew Drop Inn broke the record by serving 120k meals.

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

Brulé has said that time is of the essence for donations for the 2022 campaign. From now until Feb. 28, the UWTB will accept donations and put them directly towards the 2021 campaign fundraising goal.

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