United Way of Pennsylvania Broadcasts the Needs of PA Nonprofits

Third and State, a Pennsylvania public policy blog, featured an article on United Way of Pennsylvania’s efforts in showing the demand for nonprofits’ services as well as the effects that budget cuts have had. United Way of Pennsylvania conducted a survey which revealed that 4 out of 5 nonprofits contend that the recession increased demand. Unfortunately, the recession also included a decrease in donations, as well as significant budget cuts. That means a lack of funding for important social services in a time when they’re needed most. With the upcoming federal budget as well as state budget, there is a serious concern amongst nonprofits that they will not be equipped to provide services to many individuals and families, services that these people greatly need. In fact, according to UWP’s survey, over a third of social service agencies surveyed had to turn away people for services and almost 20% had to revoke certain services. In these hard economic times, this is devastating for thousands of Pennsylvanians!

Here in Delaware County, nonprofits are also experiencing the pressure of an increased demand and decreased funding. With more cuts being proposed, it looks like the pressure will only increase. In some areas where the population in poverty is almost at 30%, individuals need and rely on the services that these organizations provide for basic necessities such as food or shelter. If nonprofits in Pennsylvania have to revoke services and turn people away, then that also leaves people in Pennsylvania, which includes Delaware County, who are in need with nowhere else to turn and this has a devastating effect on many of our fellow citizens’ quality of life.

Please take a look at United Way of Pennsylvania’s Survey to see the pressure nonprofits have been facing to provide much needed services.

Obama's Budget Proposal and Community Service Block Grants

Cuts to LIHEAP are not the only proposals made in Obama’s Budget Plan that could harm vulnerable populations. Obama’s Budget Plan also includes a cut in spending to community service block grants, grants that allocate federal funding to address poverty in communities across the country. The Budget Plan would reduce spending for these community service grants from $700 million to $350 million at a time when unemployment and poverty levels are on the rise.

Agencies across the nation will find it challenging to provide services if the funding is halved. Here in Delaware County, many social service agencies receive these funds to provide services such as employment training, housing services, energy services, as well as food assistance and childcare. Many residents here in Pennsylvania and Delaware County need the services that these organizations provide, especially in these times of economic hardship. Although the majority of community action agencies receive other sources of funding, the federal funding plays a large part in sustaining the services they offer. Thus cutting their funding could prove to have a detrimental effect on low-income families nationally and here in Delaware County.

To learn more, please refer to:

The President’s Budget Proposal

Community Service Block Grants Site

And please contact your senator or representative about these cuts and their possible effect on our community!