Charities and aid agencies unite to get ahead of need

Thanks to The Columbian reporter Scott Hewitt for excellent coverage of the Community Relief Fund campaign in last Sunday's Metro Section.

Economic stress, layoffs, evictions, rising prices for food, utilities, transportation -- it's a desperate time out there right now.

So the United Way of Columbia-Willamette, which undertakes a regional fundraising drive to support charity and aid agencies every fall, has launched an additional emergency campaign.

"These are extraordinary times that demand an extraordinary effort," said Marc Levy, United Way's chapter president. "We need to shore up the safety net for those most in need."

The Community Relief Fund will collect and funnel 100 percent of donations to local nonprofit agencies that strive to keep people from hitting bottom. No overhead or operating costs will be deducted.

Providing assistance for food, rent, utilities and other basic needs may mean the difference between despair -- or worse -- and the possibility of a decent future, Levy said.

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