United Way of Marion County announced Thursday that they are preparing for a potential campaign shortfall. In August the community campaign goal was set at $2.3 million dollars. The local non-profit agency expects to raise a little more than $2 million dollars or 87 percent of the goal.

"We are at a critical time in our campaign," said Maureen Quinlan, United Way of Marion County president. "The great increase in need and demand for services in our community is reflected in the number of funding requests we have received from local agencies."

Currently, there have been 65 requests from 41 local agencies this year totaling $3.1 million dollars. This represents a 16 percent increase in requests and 23 percent increase in dollars requested.

Sarah Stroh, executive director of Marion County Senior Services feels the impact of a reduction of funding will just be another blow to the agency trying to help people during these tough times.

"If we didn't receive the United Way funding (at the current year level of $86,500) there would be more than 17,500 less meals served to the seniors in our community. This represents approximately 70-80 people that would not be receiving a nutritious meal on an annual basis, but would also not be receiving a well check on a daily basis - which is vital to the seniors in our community - especially those without family/friends to check on them."

Other agency partners are concerned about the effects that it will make on the clients that they serve using United Way program dollars.

"Our Supported Employment and Supported Living clients will experience situations that can compromise their health and safety if we are not able to provide them with at least minimal levels of support. If they lose their living arrangement and end up on the street their chance for survival is very slim, at best they become a burden to another agency," Troy Strawder, ARC Marion executive director said. "With a waitlist of over 20,000 people in the state we can't afford to stop helping anyone at this time, people with disabilities are sometimes easily overlooked and it is a measure of our society that we help those who cannot help themselves."

There is still an opportunity to help United Way reach their goal of $2.3 million dollars. Donors can receive a tax deduction for charitable donations made and know their investment will help Marion County neighbors. Workplaces that have concluded their employee workplace campaign can continue to promote the GIVE $5 campaign which encourages employees who chosen not to participate in payroll deduction to give $5 dollars and ask five friends to do the same.

Contributions can be sent to the United Way of Marion County P.O. Box 1086 Ocala, Fl. 34478 or made on-line.

Read the Ocala Star-Banner story for more information.