2008 Woodie Awards
Emergency Money Fund sees decrease in donations
Ann Koblenzer
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Community
Butler County residents in need of financial assistance may have to start looking for alternative sources, as the county's non-profit Emergency Money Fund is experiencing a decrease in donations and an increase in demand for funds.
The fund is a non-profit organization established in 1975 by Hamilton residents to assist members of the community experiencing short-term financial emergencies.
According to Janet Fatica, public relations director for the emergency money fund, Mercy Franciscan at St. Raphaels in Hamilton screens candidates to receive the funds and then directs them to the Emergency Money Fund.
The fund helps assist families in paying medical costs, utility bills, rent deposits and other one-time unexpected situations.
Fatica said that national economic issues have drained the fund.
"Needs have increased because of the economy, donations are down because of the economy," Fatica said. "That's with every organization right now. People have to spend more on their own families."
In 2007, the fund assisted more than 900 families in Butler County, totaling $120,000. During the fund's 33-year history, it has also distributed more than $2 million, according to the Emergency Money Fund board president and 20-year member, Evilly Koehler.
Koehler said last year, the fund was able to distribute $10,000 per month to families in need but has had to cut that number down to only $7,000.
"Donations to all charities are done right now because of the economy." Koehler said. "We hate having to cut back, but when the money is not there you have to."
The Oxford Family Resource Center also receives money from the Emergency Money Fund, according to the resource center's Support Services Coordinator Missy Barger.
"The Emergency Money Fund provides some additional support for people in the (Oxford) area," Barger said. "Clients who normally could be served through an additional program from the fund would not have those services available to them."
While Barger does realize the fund's contributions in Oxford, she is more concerned about the effect it will have in Hamilton.
She said Oxford is unique because it has Miami University and other sources of wealth in the area, so there are more places to turn for those in need.
"The Emergency Money Fund is one of the only places in Hamilton people can go to," Barger said. "Oxford is unique (in) that we have resources in area that Hamilton does not. We have the university."
Koehler realizes times are hard for many people right now, but hopes that people can realize it doesn't take a lot of money to make a difference.
"Everyone can help a little bit. I think when people think you are asking for donations, they think you are asking for a lot," Koehler said. "No one wants to put anyone else under financial strain. But if a lot of people donated one or five dollars they don't even realize the difference they would make in one (person's) life."
The fund is a non-profit organization established in 1975 by Hamilton residents to assist members of the community experiencing short-term financial emergencies.
According to Janet Fatica, public relations director for the emergency money fund, Mercy Franciscan at St. Raphaels in Hamilton screens candidates to receive the funds and then directs them to the Emergency Money Fund.
The fund helps assist families in paying medical costs, utility bills, rent deposits and other one-time unexpected situations.
Fatica said that national economic issues have drained the fund.
"Needs have increased because of the economy, donations are down because of the economy," Fatica said. "That's with every organization right now. People have to spend more on their own families."
In 2007, the fund assisted more than 900 families in Butler County, totaling $120,000. During the fund's 33-year history, it has also distributed more than $2 million, according to the Emergency Money Fund board president and 20-year member, Evilly Koehler.
Koehler said last year, the fund was able to distribute $10,000 per month to families in need but has had to cut that number down to only $7,000.
"Donations to all charities are done right now because of the economy." Koehler said. "We hate having to cut back, but when the money is not there you have to."
The Oxford Family Resource Center also receives money from the Emergency Money Fund, according to the resource center's Support Services Coordinator Missy Barger.
"The Emergency Money Fund provides some additional support for people in the (Oxford) area," Barger said. "Clients who normally could be served through an additional program from the fund would not have those services available to them."
While Barger does realize the fund's contributions in Oxford, she is more concerned about the effect it will have in Hamilton.
She said Oxford is unique because it has Miami University and other sources of wealth in the area, so there are more places to turn for those in need.
"The Emergency Money Fund is one of the only places in Hamilton people can go to," Barger said. "Oxford is unique (in) that we have resources in area that Hamilton does not. We have the university."
Koehler realizes times are hard for many people right now, but hopes that people can realize it doesn't take a lot of money to make a difference.
"Everyone can help a little bit. I think when people think you are asking for donations, they think you are asking for a lot," Koehler said. "No one wants to put anyone else under financial strain. But if a lot of people donated one or five dollars they don't even realize the difference they would make in one (person's) life."
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