By: Juli Metzger—
Muncie, IN—Here’s a statistic to consider: Today, 47 percent of Delaware County households live in poverty or are struggling to make ends meet. These are hard working families, some working two or three jobs yet barely able to meet their basic household budget and are just one crisis away from sliding into poverty.
United Way of Delaware County is using Thursday, Dec. 13 – this year’s Day of Giving – to raise $47,000 to draw attention to the 47 percent and break the cycle of generational poverty.
Look for coasters with QR codes at restaurants throughout Delaware County to give using your mobile phone. Epic Escape Game Muncie is donating a portion of its proceeds Thursday, as is Hand & Fork restaurant.
For the first time, several area schools are participating by raising money on the Day of Giving for United Way. Those schools include East Washington Elementary School, Grissom Elementary School, West View Elementary School, Southside Middle School, Muncie Central High School, Burris Laboratory School, Pleasant View Elementary School, Yorktown Middle School, Yorktown High School, Cowan Elementary School, Cowan Jr./Sr. High School, and Selma Elementary School.
UWDC is laser focused on putting children on a pathway out of poverty by making sure third graders are reading at grade level – the single greatest predictor of a child’s success in school and life.
“Statistically 80 percent of children from low-income families are not reading at grade level. Early childhood education can change the trajectory of one’s life. It can end generational poverty,” explained United Way President & CEO Jenni Marsh.
Stoops Automotive and an anonymous donor have provided matching funds of up to $10,000 for Day of Giving donations. Your donations – every last penny – stays in Delaware County and impacts lives here. No gift is too small. You can make your donation at any branch of Mutual Bank or First Merchants Bank or go online here.
Listen to Steve Lindell’s interview about the “Day of Giving” below. 12/13/18
About United Way of Delaware County
United Way of Delaware County, Indiana engages the community to improve lives by focusing resources on education, health, and financial stability. The nonprofit fights to create lasting change in community conditions. As the sponsoring organization for the community’s Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, United Way works to help children read at or above grade level by the end of their third-grade year. It is during this critical time that children transition from learning how to read, into being students who read to learn in order to be successful in school and life. United Way strategically invests in local programs that provide services that contribute to children’s success with reading and ultimately aim to end generational poverty in Delaware County. Learn more at invitedtoliveunited.org.
