United Way helps Toronto agency

(Editor's note: This is the fifth in a series of stories highlighting some of the area agencies assisted by the United Way of Jefferson County. Each of the agencies featured on Mondays receive aid from the United Way's 2010 Live United campaign.)

TORONTO - The Toronto Services Committee is one of 19 United Way of Jefferson County-affiliated agencies assisting county residents with a variety of needs.

The United Way is in its 2010 campaign season, and the need for the agency's services and assistance to its sister agencies is needed now more than ever, according to Mike Biasi, Toronto Services Committee director.

"I've been grateful over the years to get increased funding from the United Way," said Biasi, adding the need is growing ever greater. "We've helped more than 1,200 people in Toronto on an annual basis because of the funds we've received from the United Way.

"We receive $7,500 from the United Way annually," continued Biasi. "That's our allotted budget. Of course, that amount depends on if the United Way meets its fundraising goal."

The 2010 Live United campaign goal is $430,000.

Biasi said funds from the United Way are split among several Toronto assistance organizations, including the Toronto Kiwanis Club's Coats for Kids program; the Toronto Unit of the Salvation Army; the Toronto Lions Club; and the His Hands Extended food pantry.

"The Kiwanis Club bought coats for 56 pupils and students and assisted 54 with school clothes in the past year," said Biasi. "Much of that was directly due to funds from the United Way."

The Toronto Salvation Army assisted nearly 700 individuals in the past year, Biasi said, adding the food pantry assists about 150 families per month.

"Our food pantry is growing, just like every food pantry in the area is growing," Biasi said. "We've also added the Toronto Lions Club this year. They assisted five (children) with eyeglasses and exams in the past year.

"None of the funds from the service committee or United Way fund these organizations 100 percent," Biasi continued, adding money distributed by the services committee go toward individuals and families in the Toronto area. "But it does help them. We fund them, and they give us the reports and information I need to document that we have a need in Toronto. We're helping more people than ever with United Way funds through these organizations.

"We also assist individuals in emergencies, such as a house fire."

Biasi said the services committee is seeking other Toronto-area assistance organizations to distribute funds to, as long as the organization has a documentation process in place.

Nancy Jo Grim, United Way executive director, said the service committee has been an important asset in serving people in the Toronto area.

"It's a unique service that can assist people in the Toronto area," Grim said. "It's meeting local needs in a unique way. It's also one of the ways the United Way keeps these affiliated agencies accountable for the funds we give them."

To reach the Toronto Services committee, call (740) 537-2152 and ask for Mike.

(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com.)