United Way News You Can Use: March 2022
United Way of the Plains announces Promise on the Plains
As part of Black History Month, United Way of the Plains announced a new community investment, Promise on the Plains. This initiative strategically invests financial resources in the Wichita area to help close gaps and disparities in health, education, financial stability and basic needs experienced by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
Through Promise on the Plains, United Way aims to invest $100,000 in nonprofit organizations that benefit the BIPOC community. This initiative will work to reduce inequities in the BIPOC nonprofit sector by funding programs and assisting in building organizational capacity to help foster a more just and inclusive community.
Promise on the Plains will call for Wichita nonprofits that impact BIPOC communities to apply for funds beginning in April. Recipients will be announced during the community’s Juneteenth celebration.
For more details, read the full press release.
Wichita Business Journal recognizes United Way’s innovative work
United Way of the Plains has been named a 2022 Innovation Award honoree by the Wichita Business Journal. The award recognizes new approaches we took in 2021 to meet our community’s most pressing needs, including micro-grants to support food pantries during the pandemic; a collaboration with Wichita State University Men’s Basketball and Coaching for Literacy to support local childhood literacy efforts; and our “Shark-Tank” style event, Impact on the Plains, that engaged local nonprofits in pitching their bold solutions to community issues for one of four $25,000 investments (pictured above).
Watch this video recapping our work recognized by this award.
Slam dunk for students in shocker neighborhood
Kindergarten through third grade students in Shocker neighborhood will receive new books and supplies to help them strengthen their reading skills thanks to the Wichita State University Men’s Basketball team and Coaching for Literacy. They teamed up to host the #Fight4Literacy game on Feb. 12 to raise funds for United Way’s childhood literacy efforts. More than $30,000 was raised through individual donors and corporate support. Special thanks to Kansas Health Foundation for their generous matching gift.
It’s not too late to join the team and support the cause. Give now.
Partnership to bring healthy options to Wichita’s food deserts
United Way is proud to support The Salvation Army’s new Mobile Food Pantry to help food desert neighborhoods gain access to healthy options. The Mobile Food Pantry will visit community centers in Goldenrod Park, Colvin and Fairmount neighborhoods each week with a selection of fresh produce, meat, milk and other pantry stables. A team of volunteers and a caseworker will also be on-board to help residents identify additional social services to help meet their needs. Read more about the new initiative and how it will help everyone in our community access the food they need to be healthy
Join the United Way team
Are you mission-focused and purpose-driven? Do you appreciate a commitment to something larger than yourself? We are looking for relationship-oriented, collaborators to join our team as we work to advance the common good. Click the links below to learn more and apply today.
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Our focus is on health, education, financial stability and basic needs—the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Click below to learn more about what we’re doing, the programs we invest in and our lasting impact in each area.
