MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — On Thursday, NEPA Gives kicks off its 24-hour online giving campaign.
Monroe County Meals on Wheels is one of several hundred nonprofits from every corner of northeastern Pennsylvania that rely on donations to keep their missions going.
Meals on Wheels currently serves more than 300 homebound people.
"Though our numbers aren't what they were during COVID, the clients that we are seeing now are in much more dire financial circumstances, and they need greater financial support," said Executive Director Alyssa Koeck.
Koeck says donations made through the campaign help all the nonprofits stretch their fundraising dollars a little further with special incentives.
"They are great with having organizations and businesses do matching gifts through prizes and different things that we are eligible for, that give us a little extra funds, and that help our donor funds, and those who support NEPA Gives help their money go a little bit farther," explained Koeck.
In Tobyhanna, Feeding Families Ministry also relies on donations to feed people in the county. Executive Director Kenneth Jones says the support they receive to provide for 500 families in need every month allows those families to budget their money elsewhere.
"With the ever-rising price of food and gas, and everything, people are struggling to maintain and keep certain items they need on a regular basis, so we are here to help lighten the load," said Jones.
Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center near Bartonsville says each year about 10,000 students come to the center to explore nature. The dollars raised through NEPA Gives will help keep those experiences going.
"Monroe County is historically been a very fast-growing area. People moving here from outside the area maybe are not so familiar with their backyard, so our programs focus on local habitats and animals," said Roger Spotts, environmental education coordinator.
This year marks the fifth year for NEPA Gives
For a list of participating nonprofits, CLICK HERE.
The 24-hour campaign runs from Thursday at 7 p.m. through Friday at 7 p.m.
Scranton Area Community Foundation, Carbon County Community Foundation, The Luzerne Foundation, Greater Pike Community Foundation, Wayne County Community Foundation, and other community sponsors have joined together to host NEPA Gives 2024.