Our Daily Bread, one of the oldest and largest soup kitchens in the Baltimore region, recently wrote supporters to say that the demand for free meals is up by 100 people per day at a time when contributions are down 20 percent. Scores of nonprofit agencies in Maryland are in the midst of the same perfect storm, making the success of this year’s Maryland Charity Campaign more important than ever before.
FROM: Greg Simmons, Interim Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Lisa Akchin, Special Assistant to the President
Our Daily Bread, one of the oldest and largest soup kitchens in the Baltimore region, recently wrote supporters to say that the demand for free meals is up by 100 people per day at a time when contributions are down 20 percent. Scores of nonprofit agencies in Maryland are in the midst of the same perfect storm, making the success of this year’s Maryland Charity Campaign more important than ever before.
There are daily reminders in the media – and in our own interactions with colleagues, friends and family – of the economic challenges we are currently facing in this nation. UMBC has always been a place that, through words and actions, has demonstrated compassion and generosity, and those qualities are what make this such a special community. There are few ways we can demonstrate what we are capable of doing as a community than participating together in the Maryland Charity Campaign.
We have set a goal to exceed last year’s total participation of 703 faculty, staff and students. To date 297 members of the UMBC community have donated to a broad range of worthy causes. For those who have not yet had a chance to make a donation, the campaign deadline has been extended to December 5.
• If you have contributed in the past and not yet sent in your pledge for this year, please send in your new commitment.
• If you have not contributed to the Maryland Charity Campaign in the past, please respond to the growing needs in our community with a contribution this year.
• If you have already sent in your commitment for this year, thank you for your support and leadership.
If we exceed last year’s total participation of 703, an anonymous donor will match each donation above that number. And everyone who donates will be entered in a drawing for several prizes to be presented by President Hrabowski at the UMBC holiday party next month. Prizes will include: a gift certificate to Greystone Grill, a gift certificate to Matthew’s 1600, a UMBC Athletics Basketball Package, Chartwell’s gift certificates and lunch with Dr. Hirshman and Dr. Hrabowski.
We especially want to thank all of the campaign coordinators, lead coordinator Dorothy Anderson, and members of the University Steering Committee for your leadership in this effort.
We know that UMBC continues to be a caring community. The Maryland Charity Campaign is an opportunity to demonstrate our values to the wider community. As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving next week, please remember those in greatest need with a gift to the Maryland Charity Campaign.
Thank you for caring.
umbcinsightsweekly.wordpress.com 