CHENANGO COUNTY – Chenango United Way’s fundraising campaign ends within a few weeks, and organization representatives said if there isn’t a significant increase in donations they may need to look at cutting almost half of their programs.

According to Chenango United Way Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco, the nonprofit is struggling and needs the help of the community before services are impacted.

Monaco said they raised nearly $140,000 for COVID response, which was incredible, but none of that funding goes towards the safety net of programs that they usually fund.

“A lot of that money has come from grants that I’ve written and individual donations we don’t generally receive,” said Monaco. “That money has been coming in strictly related to COVID, emergency issues, and not necessarily to any of the programs that we’re raising money for right now.”

“It’s going to things like schools, school kitchens, and even diaper funds.”