Kauai United Way loses its federal food, shelter funding

Kauai United Way Executive Director Scott Giarman called “scary” the fact that “many Kaua’i families are on the verge of homelessness.”

Housing costs “skyrocketing,” electric rates among the highest in the country, “and a cost of living otherwise way too high,” have put many island families on that precipice, he said.

Also, island social-service leaders recently learned they would not be receiving around $50,000 in federal emergency food and shelter funding this year, he said.

While Kauai United Way staff and volunteers closed 2003 at 80 percent of their ambitious goal of raising $550,000 in their annual campaign for funds for nearly two dozen local social-service agencies, there is a heightened sense of urgency to raise that additional $110,000 before the March annual meeting, he said.

“We need everyone who cares about our Kaua’i community to dig a little deeper,” said Carol Furtado, Kauai United Way board vice president and campaign co-chair.

“If you haven’t given already, we need your help now. If you already gave, thank you, but please give again,” she said.

Although the campaign officially ended after Thanksgiving, for practical purposes the collection goes on through the new year and beyond.

As a result, the campaign will creep closer to the elusive goal until the March annual meeting, but it is unlikely that the entire $110,000 shortfall will be overcome without a significant influx of new contributions, Giarman explained.

“We have to consider the needy among us,” said Ron Wiley, radio personality, Kauai United Way board member and campaign co-chair.

“We need generous donors to step forward now for the sake of all of us,” said Wiley.

Contributions may be mailed to the Kauai United Way, P.O. Box 1087, Lihu’e, 96766, or via the Internet, at http://www.kauaiunitedway.org.

For more information, please call 245-2043.