GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's the season of giving, but a recent study shows two out of three Americans said inflation and the economic uncertainty have impacted their charitable giving plans this year.
What You Need To Know
- Inflation and economic uncertainty are changing North Carolinians' giving plans this year
- A survey shows the average donation this year in North Carolina is $37.27
- Some nonprofit charities are using their reserve funds to keep their programs going
- The United Way of Greater High Point is giving some of its donations to Western North Carolina, with more need in the local area as well
Latoya Bullock, vice president of community impact for the United Way of Greater High Point, has always been one to help others.
“It makes a big difference just to know that we can help just that little bit,” Bullock said.
In a way of giving back to the community, UWGHP helps feed children outside of the classroom through its backpack program.
“We have over 2,000 kids here in the greater High Point area that are food insecure,” Bullock said.
Although the rising costs to run the program may force the nonprofit to stop feeding all of the kids that need this service.
“It costs us around $190,000 a year to feed all of the children as of last year. It'll be more this year, to feed them. And we only received about $139,000 in donations,” said Bullock.
To meet the difference in price, Bullock said reserve funds are being used to keep the operations going. As UWGHP begins to take applications for their holiday programs, the question remains about how many people they will be able to help.
“We're hoping that the community will be able to help us by at least meeting where we were at last year, or more, because we definitely need the help,” Bullock said.
While the need for help in local communities continues to rise, many North Carolinians and other Americans have already donated to help those in Western North Carolina from Helene. UWGHP donated over $100,000 to those in the western half of the state.
“Some of our normal campaigns at workplaces are local companies that donate to us, have told us that this year that they are going to direct some funds to Helene relief, and our hearts go out to them,” Bullock said.
Despite inflation steadying, high everyday prices are changing how people are donating this year.
In a recent survey from Upgraded Points of more than 2,400 Americans, 43.8% of people plan to donate less this year compared to last year.
The average North Carolinian plans to donate $37.27 this holiday season.
“We see in the calls the people that normally would be able to afford to donate from their residual income, that being able to do so, they actually are somewhat starting to be in need of services themselves,” Bullock said.
Bullock said in her almost 10 years at the United Way, this is one of the toughest years she has seen for donations.
“It's tough telling someone that's in desperate need that may be crying or sobbing. That unfortunately, we don't have the funding right now,” Bullock said.
She said she knows people would donate if they could, and hopes to receive more funding soon.