Volunteers needed: Accountants, would you like to be a financial reviewer in March
for incoming Basic Needs proposals? Get the details on TopekaVolunteers.org.
With more than 80 years of service to the Greater Topeka area, United Way is proud to continue its investment in a more vital, more stable and more livable community. As we work to change the picture of how Topeka, Shawnee County, Jackson County and Jefferson County will look in five years, ten years, and beyond, we are refining our focus to achieve true measurable outcomes in our community by supporting collaboration, collective impact and continuous dialogue.
United Way remains committed to supporting basic needs assistance in the areas of: Rent/Utilities, Food, Healthcare Access/Prescriptions, and Safety from Domestic Violence. Without the availability of basic needs in our community, we cannot hope to achieve our community goals in education, financial stability and health. Basic needs services are critical to help get families back on their feet and on the road to self-sufficiency.
In Shawnee and Jefferson Counties, data from 2-1-1 Kansas records 335 requests for food assistance, 179 requests for access to healthcare and prescription assistance, 43 requests for assistance with safety from domestic violence and 1,845 requests for assistance with rent/utilities.
Without basic needs assistance in place, the consequences may be severe. This is why part of United Way of Greater Topeka’s work is to ensure that the basic necessities of life are available for those in need. Whether someone is facing hunger, financial difficulties, or other situations that put them at risk, we know supportive services are integral for providing temporary relief from immediate or impending crisis.
In alignment with United Way’s commitment to our goals in education, financial stability, and health, we know that supportive services in basic needs also create lasting impact in the lives of individuals and families. This year, we will continue the discussion and process for measuring the impact of basic need services in supporting the upward mobility of people and families in need.
See the Basic Needs RFP on our website.