United Way News You Can Use: August 2022

Announcing $100,000 for innovative solutions to community issues

Nonprofits, think you have the next bright idea to advance the common good? United Way of the Plains is hosting Impact on the Plains, a “Shark Tank”-style competition in pursuit of bold solutions to complex community issues. Up to $25,000 will be awarded to entrepreneurial nonprofit programs that transform how social issues are addressed in each of our focus areas of health, education, financial stability and basic needs. Programs should have been operational for at least one year, but no more than four years. Here’s how it works:

• Submit your bright, innovative idea for a complex community issue by noon, Wednesday, Aug. 24 at unitedwayplains.org/impact.
• Community judges review applications and narrow the competition down to the top two in each focus area. Finalists will be announced Wednesday, Sept. 7.
• The top two contenders in each focus area make their final pitch to the ‘Shark Tank’-panel of community leaders at an exclusive event on Thursday, Sept. 15.
• The event culminates with the judges announcing the winner in each focus area at the conclusion of the event.

Learn more and apply at unitedwayplains.org/impact.

Did you know, if a student isn’t reading at grade level by fourth grade, they’re four times more likely to drop out?

You have the power to change those outcomes when you volunteer as a United Way Read to Succeed reading coach.

Reading coaches meet weekly with a second or third grade student for 30 minutes at their school to listen to them read and provide intervention tactics that put them on the path to success. That one small act can have a lifelong impact on the student.

400 reading coaches are needed this school year. Can you volunteer? Register today and be one of the first people notified to sign up for the school of your choice to serve at before we open it to the public.

Find more opportunities from the United Way Volunteer Center at .

Contact Heather Crump, United Way Community Impact Manager for Education, at hcrump@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267-1321 ext. 4234.

Hydration stations help those experiencing homelessness beat the summer heat

With summer temperatures soaring, United Way of the Plains partnered with the Alliance of Overlooked Neighbors and others to provide hydration stations with free water around the city for individuals experiencing homelessness.

“Clean drinking water is a basic need and when it gets hot outside and you are without shelter, you need to at least double your consumption to stay hydrated,” said Matt Lowe, United Way of the Plains Community Impact Manager for Basic Needs.

For a list of locations and to learn more, visit our blog post or dial 2-1-1.

Give Items of Value Warehouse saved nonprofits over $225,000 during special June shopping event

This summer, the United Way Give Items of Value Warehouse has been bursting with generous donations from top national retailers and other corporate partners. GIV accepts in-kind donations and offers them at no charge to nonprofits, helping them keep their overhead expenses low so more financial resources can be funneled into programming for clients.

GIV hosted a special week for nonprofits in June to access the donations, which included housewares, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, office furniture and more. 67 agencies, including 27 new partners, visited GIV that week and acquired over 17,500 items worth $228,905.27, all for FREE.

Know a nonprofit that could benefit from GIV? The warehouse is open to all nonprofits in the state of Kansas. Nonprofits are able to visit once a month in addition to special events like the one held in June. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact Mark Stump, Director of Community Services, at mstump@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267-1321 ext. 4216.

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