All are invited to volunteer to join the United Way of Cumberland County on Aug. 24 for an event that will make a real difference in the lives of those in need.

The United Way of Cumberland County’s Annual Campaign Kickoff/Meal Packing Event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Crown Complex, located at 960 Coliseum Drive in Fayetteville.

The United Way partners with local nonprofit organizations to help fund programs that address various needs locally, including basic critical needs. The Annual Meal Packing Event addresses one of those critical needs by feeding the hungry in our local community.

Last year the United Way of Cumberland County packed 35,000 meal packets in two hours with about 300 volunteers and then donated them to the Fayetteville Urban Ministry and Catholic Charities.
The goal for this year is to pack 60,000 meal packets, and they need support from local volunteers to make this happen.

To sign up and volunteer for this event, visit https://www.unitedway-cc.org/campaign-kickoff-2023.html

Volunteers can also contact Roshelle Colvin at 910-483-1179 ext. 228 or via development@unitedway-cc.org with questions.

If you cannot volunteer for the meal packing event on Aug. 24 but still want to help, there are other ways to particiapte. You can donate by going to the website at https://www.unitedway-cc.org/ or mail in a donation or drop it off at their office at 222 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville, NC 28311.

The United Way began in 1887 when a Denver woman, a priest, two ministers, and a rabbi teamed up to make Denver a better place. Together they created an organization that collected funds and coordinated services to help local charities and provided relief services in Denver. They raised $21,700 that year, and in today’s dollar that is around $700,000. What they started would become United Way.

Now United Way’s reach is global by helping and working with others in 37 countries and territories.

The United Way of Cumberland County was established in 1939 by various local organizations united to lay the foundation for the Community Chest in Fayetteville. Then in the 1970’s, the United Fund Board of Directors voted to change the organization’s name to United Way. In 2013 they celebrated 75 years of service in Cumberland County.

United Way believes that together we can unite to help those less fortunate in our local community who do not know where their next meal is coming from.
According to the organization, the United Way of CUmberland COunty invests 100% of contributions back into the community through a vigorous volunteer-led grant review process to determine which programs will be funded.

Each nonprofit is reviewed by a panel to ensure that funds are used in a way to create maximum impact in Cumberland County.

The United Way’s Meal Packing Event on Aug. 24 is not just an event; it is an opportunity to change lives. Whether you can volunteer your time on that day or contribute through donations, your involvement will help them reach their goal of packing 60,000 meal packets for those in need. Remember, every meal packet makes a difference.