The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton is hoping to raise $1,750,000 this year to support local programs and initiatives.
Executive Director Dave Brown said the campaign will focus on three areas in an effort to address those who are most vulnerable.
Three of the focus points include investments in youth through All That Kids Can Be, helping people connect with proper wellbeing supports through Healthy People Strong Communities, and helping people get out of the poverty cycle through From Poverty to Possibility.
"We have found that those people who are dealing with poverty and poverty-related issues are really having a hard time during the pandemic, so much so that we've changed our funding priorities somewhat to include From Poverty to Possibility," said Brown.
Although the 2021 fundraising goal is similar to what was raised last year, Brown said raising that amount will not be a "slam dunk".
"We know that there are some businesses that are no longer in business this year because of the pandemic, some employees have been laid off so we're hoping that everybody who donated in the past who is able to donate again this year does so and we're hoping to pick up some new donors as well," he said.
"We really do live in a great community and I think people realize that contributions to the United Way really are local."
A new fundraiser to help the United Way inch closer to its goal is expected to be announced on August 3.
Meantime, the United Way will launch a new user-friendly website in August as well.
"People can see exactly how and where their contributions to the United Way are being used," said Brown. "We're grateful to Enbridge who picked up the cost of that so no donation dollars have gone into the website."
The United Way's 2021 fall campaign will start September 7 and run until December 31.
