Greensboro, NC (July 10, 2023) – United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) is mobilizing the community throughout July with its annual MeaningFULL Meals program in partnership with The Volunteer Center (TVC) of the Triad and BackPack Beginnings (BPB).
Ten years ago, UWGG and TVC started MeaningFULL Meals as nutrition project that seeks food donations to help feed school children in need during summer break – and this year, the need is greater than ever before.
With the increase of food prices during the past year there has been a decline in donations. Local food pantries also report serving more guests due to these rising prices and the cut in SNAP benefits, making this year’s MeaningFULL Meals drive especially needed.
BackPack Beginnings joined the partnership seven years ago and serves as the recipient of all food donations, dispersing them to children and families in the community.
Everyone in the community is invited to participate throughout the month of July.
Simply host a drive in July and drop off your donations at BackPack Beginnings by August 4.
Bring your own food donations to The United Way of Greater Greensboro or BackPack Beginnings. Drops should be made Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
“”BackPack Beginnings is thrilled to partner with The United Way of Greensboro again this summer for MeaningFULL meals. Summer is a difficult time for children who rely on school meals for most of their nutritional needs. With food prices up, donations down and SNAP cuts, the need for MeaningFULL meals is more important than ever. We are excited to get this food into the hands of children at Jackson, Wiley and Smith this summer.”said Parker White, Founder/Executive Director, BPB.
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END LOCAL POVERTY: United Way of Greater Greensboro creates, connects, and leads community partnerships that equip and empower people to leave poverty. Nearly 52,000 children, adults, and families are living in poverty in the greater Greensboro area. Our strategy builds pathways out of poverty by: Helping youth transition from cradle to career, Helping adults land jobs and increase income, Providing access to basic needs and healthcare, and Bundling services that eliminate barriers at our nationally recognized Family Success Centers and innovative Guilford Success Network. With the community’s support, we will achieve our BOLD GOAL: As a community united in equity and lasting solutions, 3,000 households will leave generational poverty by 2030. The federal government defines poverty as a family of four earning $30,000 per year. According to local self-sufficiency standards many four-member households need to earn around $66,000 to meet basic needs without subsidized assistance. www.UnitedWayGSO.org
Volunteers are the heart of United Way, and are an important component in our mission to end local poverty.
United Way is excited to highlight Jose and Yubi Sandoval, who are both on United Way’s marketing committee and have volunteered a combined 5 years in different capacities. Jose is also on our board of directors.
“We believe in United Way’s mission and the impact it is making in our community. We also appreciate the intentionality of working with other organizations to help one another accomplish their goals. We are both immigrants and have witnessed firsthand the power of community and feel that UWGG is great at bringing people and organizations together,” said Jose and Yubi.
Jose and Yubi say they volunteer with United Way because “UWGG’s mission of ending poverty seeks the root cause of why someone is living in poverty, and then works with them to break the cycle.”
They plan to continue spreading the word about United Way’s work and they strive to get more community members involved in the movement to end local poverty.
Jose and Yubi hope to see all community members thriving, and to have resources readily available. “Growing up in rural NC, Greensboro really won our heart by welcoming us and being open and welcoming to the immigrant community,” says Jose.
Greensboro, NC (May 26, 2023) – United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) is pleased to announce it has selected YWCA of Greensboro as the new lead partner to operate its second Family Success Center (FSC) which will now be located at the Shirley T. Frye YWCA Greensboro building at 1807 East Wendover Avenue.
“We are thrilled to serve as the new lead partner and location of United Way’s second Family Success Center. The YWCA will work tirelessly to continue the transformative work that the center has provided to local people who are living in poverty. We are grateful to the United Way and look forward to helping local families through this new partnership for many years to come,” said Deb Harris Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer, YWCA of Greensboro.
FSCs are a critical component of UWGG’s strategic approach to ending local poverty. FSCs serve people living on low incomes through an Integrated Service Delivery model which offers multiple supports and services in one location. Services focus on employment, education, financial capability, health and wellness and basic needs. FSCs also offer transportation and childcare support to eliminate accessibility barriers for its members.
UWGG currently operates two FSCs. The first FSC was established in 2015 with lead partner, Guilford Child Development, now Children and Families First, at 1200 Arlington Street which is still supporting members.
UWGG’s second FSC location originally opened in 2018 at Salvation Army of Greensboro’s Center of Hope, at 1311 South Eugene Street. This location successfully operated onsite until newly discovered environmental issues forced the building’s closure in June 2022. After the building’s closure, Salvation Army continued FSC operations virtually and temporarily onsite at Salvation Army’s Reynolds Unit on Freeman Mill Road, home of the Boys and Girls Club.
In September 2022, UWGG was notified that the Center of Hope’s initial issues were symptomatic of greater structural concerns that would require extensive, long-term repair. In January, UWGG and Salvation Army mutually agreed that the temporary location at the Reynolds Unit would not meet long-term FSC member needs.
In February, UWGG began seeking new partners, ultimately selecting YWCA of Greensboro through a competitive volunteer-led application and review process.
The volunteer review committee selected YWCA of Greensboro based on its capacity to implement the FSC model at its location, as well as its expertise and experience in addressing poverty, serving whole families, providing long-term case management, and removing participation barriers.
The directors and coaches from the initial second FSC location will continue to lead the program at the YWCA.
“Like United Way, the YWCA of Greensboro has been deeply committed to this community for over a century. We are honored to partner with the talented and caring staff at YWCA and there is no doubt that Family Success Center members will continue to receive transformational supports and services,” said Traci McLemore, Chief Community Impact Officer, UWGG.
To-date, both FSC locations together have helped over 696 families, representing 988 adults and 1,178 children on their journeys toward self-sufficiency.
Since launching, FSC members have achieved significant milestones:
444 un- or underemployed adults completed job readiness classes
461 new jobs have been obtained
50 adults earned a GED (133 working to earn a GED)
52 enrolled in college or vocational training
2 earned a bachelor’s degree
284 completed financial capability classes
125 opened new bank accounts.
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END LOCAL POVERTY: United Way of Greater Greensboro creates, connects, and leads community partnerships that equip and empower people to leave poverty. Nearly 52,000 children, adults, and families are living in poverty in the greater Greensboro area. Our strategy builds pathways out of poverty by: Helping youth transition from cradle to career, Helping adults land jobs and increase income, Providing access to basic needs and healthcare, and Bundling services that eliminate barriers at our nationally recognized Family Success Centers and innovative Guilford Success Network. With the community’s support, we will achieve our BOLD GOAL: As a community united in equity and lasting solutions, 3,000 households will leave generational poverty by 2030. The federal government defines poverty as a family of four earning $30,000 per year. According to local self-sufficiency standards many four-member households need to earn around $66,000 to meet basic needs without subsidized assistance. www.UnitedWayGSO.org
Greensboro, NC (June 17, 2023) – United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) is honored to sponsor Greensboro Juneteenth’s Celebration and is seeking volunteers to help promote its Mentoring Matters initiative during the Celebration’s Black Truck Food Festival on June 17, 5 – 11 p.m. at LeBauer Park, located at 208 Davie St, Greensboro, NC 27401.
UWGG is looking for volunteers to distribute mentoring information during the Black Truck Food Festival that will offer ways attendees can sign up to become mentors.
Later in the week, UWGG will continue seeking mentors during United Way Worldwide’s annual Day of Action which takes place on or around June 21 across the world. Day of Action challenges people to improve their communities through volunteering.
“We are excited to leverage two exciting upcoming events to promote the importance and impact of mentoring through our Mentoring Matters initiative. Mentoring helps children in our community succeed in school and life is a foundational way to end local poverty,” says Holly Beck, Director of Volunteering and Advocacy, UWGG.
To learn more about the Greensboro Juneteenth Festival, which runs from June 15 – 18, visit: www.juneteenthgso.com.
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END LOCAL POVERTY: United Way of Greater Greensboro creates, connects, and leads community partnerships that equip and empower people to leave poverty. Nearly 52,000 children, adults, and families are living in poverty in the greater Greensboro area. Our strategy builds pathways out of poverty by: Helping youth transition from cradle to career, Helping adults land jobs and increase income, Providing access to basic needs and healthcare, and Bundling services that eliminate barriers at our nationally recognized Family Success Centers and innovative Guilford Success Network. With the community’s support, we will achieve our BOLD GOAL: As a community united in equity and lasting solutions, 3,000 households will leave generational poverty by 2030. The federal government defines poverty as a family of four earning $30,000 per year. According to local self-sufficiency standards many four-member households need to earn around $66,000 to meet basic needs without subsidized assistance. www.UnitedWayGSO.org
Greensboro, NC (April 24, 2023) – United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) announced today Chapel Hill-based Developmental Associates has been selected to lead a national search for a new UWGG President and CEO, and applications for the position are being accepted through May 23, 2023.
Developmental Associates specializes in finding top tier candidates for high performing nonprofits, municipalities, and civic organizations. Developmental Associates has successfully worked with local organizations such as the City of Greensboro, North Carolina A&T State University, and UNCG.
After reviewing multiple proposals, Developmental Associates was chosen by UWGG’s President and CEO Selection Committee comprised of UWGG board members and community leaders. The selection committee is led by UWGG Board Chair, Davida Martin and Vice Chair, Michele Deuterman.
Former UWGG President and CEO, Khari Garvin began a new role on March 6 with the Biden-Harris Administration serving as Director of the Office of Head Start at the Administration for Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Nadine Malpass, UWGG’s current Chief Development Officer, is serving as Interim CEO. As Interim CEO, Malpass serves as the voice of the organization with the Board of Directors, staff, community members, and key volunteers and will support the transition of the new UWGG President and CEO.
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END LOCAL POVERTY: United Way of Greater Greensboro creates, connects, and leads community partnerships that equip and empower people to leave poverty. Nearly 52,000 children, adults, and families are living in poverty in the greater Greensboro area. Our strategy builds pathways out of poverty by: Helping youth transition from cradle to career, Helping adults land jobs and increase income, Providing access to basic needs and healthcare, and Bundling services that eliminate barriers at our nationally recognized Family Success Centers and innovative Guilford Success Network. With the community’s support, we will achieve our BOLD GOAL: As a community united in equity and lasting solutions, 3,000 households will leave generational poverty by 2030. The federal government defines poverty as a family of four earning $30,000 per year. According to local self-sufficiency standards many four-member households need to earn around $66,000 to meet basic needs without subsidized assistance. www.UnitedWayGSO.org
In recognition of National Volunteer Week, United Way is excited to celebrate Cammie Cummings, a local go-getter and volunteer champion who makes an impact in everything she does.
Cammie has volunteered with United Way for 4 years and is currently chairing United Way’s Young Leaders (YL) Affinity Group.
Young Leader members are emerging community leaders who are focused on empowering and inspiring young professionals to lead community-wide change that support United Way’s efforts to end local poverty by helping children and youth prepare for success in college, work, and life.
“Connecting and volunteering with YL was an easy decision as it directly aligns with being actively involved in creating family friendly activities and soliciting the partnership of other young professionals to support the mission of ending local poverty. It is all about making an impact”, said Cammie.
Cammie’s passion for volunteering and her gift to motivate others to join the movement, especially young professionals, has greatly supported United Way’s efforts to help the local community.
“It is my hope that we see United Way as a collective opportunity to push generations forward. Not only does it serve as a powerful resource to our community, but that through every dollar and donation given, a life is being impacted. I hope that we can see the mission to end local poverty as a reality one day, but it will take a collective belief, service, and willingness to create bold change!”
If you’d like to learn more about United Way’s YL Affinity Group, visit:
Khari Garvin has been appointed Director of the Office of Head Start at the Administration for Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
GREENSBORO, NC (March 6, 2023) – Former United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) President and CEO, Khari Garvin began a new role today within the Biden-Harris Administration serving as Director of the Office of Head Start at the Administration for Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Garvin announced on February 16 he was leaving UWGG effective March 3, to take on a government role in Washington D.C. At the time of the initial announcement, Garvin was unable to share specific details and said, “The new federal government role in Washington D.C. is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for which I am grateful and feel compelled to pursue.”
Nadine Malpass, UWGG’s current Chief Development Officer, is serving as Interim CEO.
As Interim CEO, Malpass will serve as the voice of the organization with the Board of Directors, staff, community members, and key volunteers and will ultimately support the transition of the new UWGG President and CEO.
“I am honored to lead United Way during this transition and with the supportive talents of our board and staff, we will continue to deliver on our commitment to serve our community, partners, and the children, adults, and families who need our collaborative support,” said Malpass.
“Nadine has been selected with the full confidence of the board of directors to lead organizational operations” said UWGG Board Chair, Davida Martin.
Martin, and Michele Deuterman, who serves as both UWGG Board Vice Chair, and Chair of UWGG’s Human Resources Committee will soon announce plans to conduct a CEO search for Garvin’s successor.
Greensboro, NC (March 3, 2023) – Seven local United Way of Greater Greensboro (UWGG) annual campaign partners and one volunteer leader were recently honored with Spirit of North Carolina Awards, which celebrate organizations and individuals for their exemplary partnership demonstrated through fundraising, volunteering, outstanding leadership, and creative team building.
The Spirit of North Carolina Award offers local United Ways an opportunity to nominate organizations and individuals whose annual campaign and leadership exemplify the “spirit” of their community.
Local campaign award winners include Brooks Pierce, City of Greensboro, Ecolab, Guilford County Schools, Hoffman & Hoffman, Publix, Syngenta, and volunteer Scott Baker.
United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) leads the award nomination and judging process and presents the awards annually. Between March 1-3, UWNC presented a total of 74 Spirit of NC Awards during three regional events representing 17 United Ways.
“The Spirit of North Carolina Award is a statewide honor that recognizes companies and individuals who go above and beyond for their local communities. Through their fun campaign events, employee leadership making their campaigns successful, and long-term impact on the greater Greensboro community, this year’s winners truly embody what it means to LIVE UNITED. We are also thrilled to be able to recognize an individual this year through the new United Way Community Ambassador award,” said Julia Thomas, Associate Vice-President, Development, UWGG.
Local Spirit of NC Award categories, winners, and representative quotes can be found below.
Award Category: Impactful and Engaging Campaign Event or Activity
Brooks Pierce
During its 2022 campaign, Brooks Pierce galvanized employees in an electrifying kickoff event that followed with themed days to increase participation and generate enthusiasm. Brooks Pierce planned its kickoff and campaign months in advance and incorporated a chili cook-off event, breakfast, trivia, pie in the face contest, and raffles. As a result, employee participation increased, and Brooks Pierce surpassed its previous year’s campaign in dollars raised.
“Here’s why I give to United Way: Our law firm takes great pride in our long tradition of serving our local community. And there’s no better way to serve the local community than giving to an organization like United Way of Greater Greensboro, which has worked for 100 years to support the local residents most in need of help,” said Andy Rodenbough, Brooks Pierce Partner and United Way Committee Chair.
Syngenta
Syngenta’s campaign committee took on an array of revenue generating special events during the 2022 campaign that included a kickoff carnival and BBQ for employees, a golf and mini-golf tournament, premier parking spot auctions, a gift baskets raffle, table massages at work, and a Kickin’ Chicken versus Piggly Wiggly Cookoff. These events created tremendous excitement around the United Way campaign. Employees also had a chance to hear firsthand from members and staff of UWGG’s Family Success Center during a Lunch and Learn hosted by Syngenta leadership which was streamed virtually to employees. Using tools like Square and Smartsheet, the Syngenta team created an online store and checkout process for all of its events, creating efficiencies and opening the events to a larger number of employees.
“Syngenta and United Way of Greater Greensboro have had a successful partnership for many years, addressing the needs of our local community. Our partnership has provided funding and resources to help support community programs and projects, such as expanding access to healthcare, promoting education and job training. This partnership has helped to create more opportunities for residents and improve the overall quality of life for those in our community. Additionally, Syngenta has encouraged its employees to get involved in volunteering with United Way through a designated annual Syngenta led fundraising campaign and has provided matching donations to further support the organization’s efforts. Overall, the partnership between Syngenta and United Way has been a successful example of how businesses and nonprofits can work together to create positive social impact. As a Syngenta leader and outgoing chairman of the 2022 Syngenta campaign, I am personally and professionally beyond proud of our working relationship and accomplishments, this past year and look forward to many more,” said Ron Cowman, Head of North American Digital Ag Solutions and 2022 Campaign Co-Chair.
Syngenta representatives being presented the Spirit of NC Award
Ecolab
Ecolab’s 2022 campaign raised an impressive 25% more than that its previous year. The driving force behind its campaign success was campaign leadership who hosted a kickoff breakfast where employees were educated about the issues of poverty in the community, and leaders shared their personal inspirations for giving. Ecolab also hosted a very successful golf tournament at The Grandover Resort and Spa, setting a record for dollars raised, and hosted a Warehouse Yard Sale where its most popular products were sold to employees with all proceeds benefitting the United Way.
“We are honored to accept the Spirit of North Carolina Award and are proud to work with the United Way of Greater Greensboro,” said Kris Taylor, Ecolab’s vice president of Global Community Impact and president of the Ecolab Foundation. “Our company purpose is to protect people and the resources vital to life, and our work with United Way helps to support this mission.”
Ecolab representatives being presented the Spirit of NC Award
Award Category: Building Momentum and Sustainability Through Engaged Leadership or Employees
City of Greensboro
In 2022, employees of the City of Greensboro increased dollars raised by 14% and increased its employee participation rate by over 70%. The City of Greensboro’s level of campaign excellence was achieved through impactful events, engaged leadership, and a deep desire to help their community. Greensboro’s mayor, Nancy Vaughn, kicked off the campaign with a personal video encouraging employees to join the fight against poverty by making their pledge. Leadership offered every department in the City that reached 100% participation an extra day of PTO. This generous incentive encouraged conversations and teamwork in each department and participation rates soared.
“As City of Greensboro employees helping others and building community is at the center of everything that we do, supporting United Way and pulling together to end poverty is a natural extension of our organization’s mission. The Spirit of NC Award serves as a symbolic, yet meaningful, recognition of the commitment that City of Greensboro’s employees have to ending poverty and building a stronger, healthier and more equitable community,” said Greensboro City Manager, Taiwo Jaiyeoba.
City of Greensboro representatives being presented the Spirit of NC Award
Hoffman & Hoffman
Working alongside Hoffman & Hoffman’s Employee Campaign Manager, company leadership helped to create a 2022 kickoff event where employees learned more about United Way and the impact of workplace giving. Campaign volunteers deployed a communications strategy that provided testimonials from individuals who have been helped through United Way and reminded employees to participate in the campaign. Hoffman & Hoffman staff created an internal community involvement group and named it Hoffman Helping Hands with the goal of quarterly service projects and becoming more invested in a partnership with United Way. Engagement from leadership and staff volunteers during the campaign helped to increase both participation and dollars raised by 33% over the previous year’s campaign. An additional show of commitment from Hoffman & Hoffman leadership is the company’s 100% match of employee gifts doubling the impact made through the employee campaign.
“A key goal of United Way is to empower people in our local community to leave poverty behind. Investing in our community through our United Way campaign in 2022 offered our employees and our company, as a whole, an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. We look forward to challenging ourselves again this year to raise even more,” said Jim Bingham, CEO, Hoffman & Hoffman.
Hoffman & Hoffman representatives being presented the Spirit of NC Award
Award Category: Investment in Long-Term Sustainable Impact
Guilford County Schools
(On behalf of United Way of Greater Greensboro and United Way of Greater High Point)
Guilford County Schools (GCS) annually conducts an educational, engaging, and fun United Way Campaign. This year’s campaign theme was “Hidden Figures” which highlighted the impactful work that each GCS employee is doing in the community. As a result, individual participation increased over the previous year, and the campaign raised over $330,000 to support local children, adults, and families. Included in that total are student-supported campaigns, which impressively raised over $15,000. GCS is helping the community to do things “Better Together”.
Publix
As a guiding principle, Publix believes in “doing good together” and encourages its associates to make a difference in their community. Nationwide, in 2021, Publix associates pledged more than $31 million to United Way. Publix Super Markets Charities also donated $25 million, bringing the total for the 2021 nationwide campaign to over $56 million with the money raised locally staying in the local communities. Since 2020, Publix and has run a successful local United Way campaign. In 2022, Publix’s impact on the local area continued to grow and a new distribution center was opened in Guilford County that employs several thousand associates. Along the way, Publix has provided generous in-kind donations along with financial contributions that have created a lasting impact on the Greensboro community. Publix’s leadership and associates do not hesitate to donate funds, volunteer time, and talents to improve the lives of those in the community. In addition to supporting United Way’s annual campaign, Publix employees also make a local impact through multiple volunteer projects during “Publix Serves Week” in the spring and fall.
“Our founder, George W. Jenkins, believed one of the most efficient ways to assist people was through giving to United Way, and we still believe that today,” said Jared Glover, Media Relations Manager for Publix Super Markets. “Our commitment to his vision and this community continues through our dedication to offer hope through giving to the United Way of Greater Greensboro.”
Publix representatives being presented the Spirit of NC Award
Award Category: United Way Community Ambassador
Scott Baker
Scott Baker is president of TowneBank Triad and is a true example of what it means to LIVE UNITED. Scott has served as UWGG’s Campaign Chair since 2021, starting as Campaign Vice Chair in 2020. As Campaign Chair, Scott has also served on UWGG’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2020. During this time, Scott led efforts to help UWGG to navigate virtual campaigning during the pandemic and advocated for increased corporate philanthropic support of UWGG by soliciting donations from companies in the community. Scott was a key driver in increasing TowneBank’s own workplace campaign and corporate gift. He has also helped UWGG build its strategy to think beyond the workplace campaign and recognizes the importance of building relationships with individual investors outside of the workplace for long-term sustainability and growth. Scott’s service is driven by an underlying passion for supporting nonprofits whose mission it is to eradicate poverty in the Greensboro community. This is emphasized by his board tenure for Greensboro nonprofits, including The Servant Center, Greensboro Merchants Association, Triad Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Finance committee member at Greensboro Urban Ministry, and Vice-Chair of the board at Piedmont Business Capital.
“During my time as campaign chair for United Way Greensboro I have been impressed with the dedication and focused effort toward aggressively reducing the impact of poverty in our local community. The bold goal of transitioning three thousand families out of generational poverty by 2030 is a life-changing effort and I am honored to lend my time and energy to assist. The ongoing fight to improve opportunities for others through the Family Success Center and Guilford Success Network and our strategic partners requires broad-based support. I stand committed, working alongside TowneBank, to serve as a community asset and I am so humbled to be a part of it,” Said Scott Baker, President, TowneBank.
Scott Baker being presented the Spirit of NC Award
