Neepawa United Way to cease operations April 30

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Published on Friday, February 26, 2016

By Kira Paterson

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

As of April 30, the Neepawa and District United Way will no longer be in operation. Over the past few years, the organization has seen a decrease in donations and an increase in operating costs, explained Jodie Byram, executive director of the Neepawa and District United Way. She said that the membership fees and administration costs, along with the lack of volunteers, have made the cost of operating in Neepawa too high.

There are also a lot of other organizations in the community to which the area’s residents donate, which Byram said could be a contributing factor in the decrease in donations the United Way receives.  

In Neepawa, the United Way has contributed to many local organizations. Some received ongoing support, while others were given grants or support for special projects. Every organization that applies receives a grant, but not always for the full amount requested. Some of the beneficiaries include Touchwood Park, Neepawa Palliative Care, Neepawa and District Handy Transit, the Salvation Army, Westlake Employment Skills and Services, Neepawa and Area Immigrant Settlement Services and Home Assistance Neepawa and District. Byram said that the United Way has not yet determined if these organizations will receive further support from a bigger United Way branch, such as Brandon and District. For now, the closure of the Neepawa branch will mean that these organizations will have one less grant or means of financial support, so they will likely have to apply for other grants or do more fundraising. 

The United Way has been operating in Neepawa for over 30 years. Byram noted that it’s unfortunate that it’s had to come to closing down and it was a difficult decision for the board of directors to make, but they no longer see the longevity in staying here. They have done some fundraising, but because of the increased costs they’ve incurred, the money raised had to go to keeping them running rather than to the grants they dole out. The board of directors appreciates and thanks all who have donated to and supported Neepawa and District United Way over the years, Byram said, and hopefully, these donors will find another organization through which they can support the community. The Neepawa branch will officially stop accepting donations on Feb. 28.