Area residents being asked to give input on social needs for United Way

WICHITA, Kan., May 12, 2010 — Household surveys meant to measure health and human service needs in Butler, Harvey, Reno, Sedgwick and Sumner counties are set to be mailed to residents this week by United Way of the Plains. The survey, called a Community Needs Assessment, is undertaken about every three years by United Way.

“At United Way, we value the fact that each dollar given by a donor is hard earned money and we have a responsibility to make sure those dollars are well spent,” said Patrick J. Hanrahan, president of United Way of the Plains. “The best way to do that is to periodically ask community citizens to tell us what their needs are. Our triennial needs assessment sets us apart as a charity concerned foremost with local community priorities.”

The survey is a chance for participants to rate social services and to take a look at the level of health and income needs in their households and neighborhoods and rate the priorities.

The assessment helps United Way to identify unmet needs in the community, provide needed information to volunteers and government agencies, and ensure that the most urgently needed programs are funded.

United Way will mail a total of 8,000 surveys to randomly selected households in Butler, Harvey, Reno, Sedgwick and Sumner counties. Deadline for returning the survey is June 4.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Delane Butler, Vice President of Marketing, 267-1321