Heart of Florida United Way Responds to Continuing Community Crisis - Launches Basic Needs Campaign with Support from Dr. Phillips Charities

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 20, 2009) – Heart of Florida United Way, in partnership with Dr. Phillips
Charities, has announced the launch of a temporary Basic Needs Campaign to provide immediate
financial assistance to Central Floridians who are struggling to pay for food, rent, utilities and ther life necessities.

The campaign, established with grants totaling nearly $350,000 from Dr. Phillips Charities and Bank of America is being administered by the United Way Stewardship Program, which provides emergency assistance to local residents at risk for hunger, homelessness and other critical problems. The United Way Board of Directors approved a move that will allow United Way to tap reserve funds to cover all administrative expenses of the fund, thereby ensuring that all grant dollars will go directly to help people in need. Any additional dollars raised will also be used to help those in crisis.

Those needing assistance can receive help by calling the United Way 2-1-1 & Elder Helpline – a free, 24-hour per day information and referral service. Those who are qualified will be assigned a temporary case manager who will expedite financial assistance through this Basic Needs Campaign Fund.

“Working closely with United Way 2-1-1 and many local agencies, we recognized both the escalating need and the inability to meet that need during this economic crisis,” said Robert L. Mellen III, President and CEO of Dr. Phillips Charities, Dr. P. Phillips Foundation and Dr. Phillips, Inc. “That’s why Dr. Phillips Charities is proud to partner with United Way in establishing a temporary basic needs fund to provide immediate relief to Central Floridians in crisis. We are also pleased to offer it in the form of a matching grant to encourage others in the community to respond at this critical time.”

“This Basic Needs campaign represents a temporary response to an unprecedented situation,” said United Way President/CEO Robert H. (Bob) Brown. “The ongoing economic challenges have placed a tremendous burden on many in our community, including local nonprofit agencies that are being called on to provide significantly more services. All are doing tremendous work, but the system is simply not designed to handle current levels.”

Dr. Phillips Charities is offering a grant of nearly $300,000, which includes $98,100 in start up funds and a challenge grant of nearly $200,000 which will require matching funds. Dr. Phillips Charities is one of the region’s largest philanthropic organizations, which has awarded more than $23 million to local nonprofits over the past three years.

One of the first businesses announced to join the effort is Bank of America, which contributed $50,000 which will be matched. “Many of our neighbors and nonprofit organizations are challenged like never before and Bank of America’s strategy of providing meaningful and relevant support to the communities we serve has never been more important,” said John Moskos, Central Florida president, Bank of America. “United Way’s leadership in creating the Basic Needs Campaign is exactly the right partnership to help deliver much-needed support to the three-county area. We’re especially pleased 100% of all donations will help some of our communities’ most impacted citizens.” Other funders are expected to be announced soon.

It is estimated that grant dollars will provide help to an additional 1,350 families over the next five months. Agencies that currently provide family emergency funds, but have exhausted their resources can also access the dollars.

People seeking immediate assistance are urged to call the United Way 2-1-1 & Elder Helpline. Last year was the busiest year ever for 2-1-1 – more than 115,000 calls were received – with utility, food and rent assistance ranking as the top three reasons people called.

If you wish to donate the Basic Needs Campaign, please log onto www.hfuw.org and click on Basic Needs Assistance, or if you know someone who needs help, simply dial 2-1-1.