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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, M ar ch 18 ,2 02 1 | 10 tions from business and corporations. Including federal emer- gency funds, the United Way distributed more than $4.6 million in Waterloo re- gion in 2020. It also worked together with a group of other local funders to get hundreds of thousands of dollars out to local agencies in the early days of the pandemic and shifted to supporting over 120 agencies and programs in the community - more than double what it usually covers in a normal year. "We're also there to fill in the cracks and crevices that people don't even know exist," Fisk said. "Some charities provide very special care for a very special population." A relatively new chron- ic hunger program for chil- dren outside of school hours has 375 kids enrolled and 75 on a waiting list, Fisk noted. Then there are the traditional needs such as Meal on Wheels, which haven't gone away. Agencies helping people with mental health and ad- dictions are seeing huge in- creases. "We are the fundraising backbone of many of these organizations," Fisk said. "Our population has shifted and we've seen an increase in people that need support, and on the other scale, a high percent- age of wealthier organiza- tions that are just a small number. "So, while 10 or 12 com- panies might be doing bet- ter than ever, another 20 or 30 companies are doing worse than ever." The United Way was built on the "community chest" philosophy: If every- one does a little it can go a long way, Fisk said. Donors are now able to choose how their funds are designated. "Know that we are a re- ally important piece of the community backbone - that this is the second larg- est supporter of organiza- tions, next to the govern- ment, and without a good strong United Way in our community, we won't have that resilience that we need to have," said Fisk. We shouldn't depend on other countries to support us in desperate times; we can't always rely on our own governments. Those are the biggest lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, ac- cording to Fisk. "I think we need to force a local focus on what we buy and what we do," she said. "That's my local pitch." Sara Casselman, execu- tive director of SASCWR, which provides counsel- ling and legal support ser- vices to women who have experienced sexual vio- lence, said they were able to raise more than $40,000 in 2019 thanks to donations made by small businesses to their silent and live auc- tion gala. "We have around 100 different businesses local- ly that donate," she said, adding the fundraiser, their biggest, was cut for 2020 and 2021 and resourc- es are being sought from elsewhere so as not to strain the businesses while they may be strug- gling due to the pandem- ic's impact. According to the Cana- dian Federation of Inde- pendent Business, 84 per cent of members donate goods and services to charities and causes; 39 per cent sponsor a sports team. Studies have shown owners of locally owned and operated businesses support local causes, or- ganizations and charities approximately three times more than business- es with outside or corpo- rate ownership. - with files by Swikar Oli STORY BEHIND THE STORY: We spoke with local charities about what the past year of the pan- demic has been like for them and how the business community has continued to lend a helping hand. #LOVELOCAL Continued from page 1 'FUNDRAISING IS NEVER AN EASY THING TO DO, ESPECIALLY DURING A PANDEMIC' Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic is joined by volunteer Freda Millar from the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network as they load meals prepared on site to be delivered to the community. David Bebee/Metroland 88% employ members of the community 41.2% provide internships/training for young people 44% host/sponsor events in the community 73.9% use products or materials from other local businesses 38.5% sponsor a sports team 83.8% donate goods and services to local charities/causes 36.3% provide leadership and support 72.9% provide financial donations to local charities/causes How Small Business Owners Support Communities 0.8% I do not contribute to my community Source: CFIB, 2019 National Retail Sector Survey of 1,663 small retail business owners across the country from Nov. 11 to 25, 2019. Metroland graphic Love Local is a series that explores the vital role local- ly owned businesses play in our communities. SCAN FOR MORE CHAMBER PRESIDENT SAYS BUSINESSES MUST FIGHT FOR FUTURE Business owners need to look forward instead of back as they fight to stay afloat. 'IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO BE OK' From open, to closed, to open again with restrictions, this local business is continuing to adapt. UPTOWN WATERLOO WAVED GOODBYE TO 24 BUSINESSES, WELCOMED 20 NEW ONES Entrepreneurial spirit remains as businesses continue to open despite pandemic uncertainty.