We support the United Way of Central Missouri's decision - despite the tornado - to continue with plans to issue community grants to local agencies.
On Wednesday, it was reported the United Way issued grants totaling nearly $200,000 to agencies. The money came from donations that exceeded the United Way's fundraising goal for its 2018 campaign.
The grants are investments the organization makes to address immediate, critical unmet needs or to support challenges to emerging needs in the seven counties it serves - Cole, Moniteau, Osage, Miller, Morgan, Camden and southern Callaway.
Like last year, the United Way had planned to disperse the excess funding through grants. It finalized the decision May 21. What it didn't know at the time was, the next day, an EF-1 tornado would rip through Eldon and an EF-3 tornado would tear through Jefferson City, severely damaging homes, businesses, vehicles and other personal property.
Around 100 people needed immediate housing assistance, and many more needed other aid, in Jefferson City alone.
So, in light of the catastrophe, the United Way questioned the decision to issue grants since there now were more pressing needs.
Ultimately, however, it decided the work of the 25 agencies - 12 partner agencies and 13 non-partner agencies - must continue.
"We vetted these grant requests and we believe in them and we know they're important. We know that the work still goes on, despite the tragedy," Director Ann Bax said. "The work still goes on, and we want to support that."
Even though the United Way isn't directly giving the money to tornado relief, we believe much of it will indirectly go to help with the effort.
That's because many of the agencies receiving the grants - such as the Red Cross, Food Bank, Salvation Army and Common Ground Community Building - are some of the primary agencies helping people get back on their feet after the tornado.
The United Way also has served as a central agency in relief efforts by mobilizing volunteers and collecting and distributing supplies to meet the needs of victims.
We commend the United Way for not being afraid to make this tough funding decision.
Either way, the money would benefit people in our community who need help. But we believe they made the right call.
Central Missouri Newspapers