United Way is threatening to drastically cut back on services provided by the Rochester Salvation Army

Rochester, New York – Among the neighborhood nonprofits that are losing vital funding due to major cuts made by the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes is the Salvation Army of Greater Rochester.

The United Way, which awards multi-year grants totaling about $6 million to 97 nonprofit organizations, will reduce its overall spending by nearly half compared to previous years. Roughly 85% of vital United Way money is being lost by The Salvation Army. The NGO is frantically searching for answers, as are many others.

For 140 years, the Rochester area has benefited from essential human services offered by The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army’s director of operations in Monroe County is Major Rick Starkey.

“This is our program, the Emergency Family Services Program, right here, right behind me, where we meet basic human needs,” stated Major Rick Starkey, the director of operations for the group in Monroe County.

According to Starkey, the initiative helps up to 9,000 people a year. Prior to this, the initiative was given $600,000 by the United Way Community Impact Fund. That sum will decrease to $85,000 as 2025 approaches.

When you think about it, the numbers are plain absurd, according to Starkey. Normally, we would spread out the $600,000 over a whole year. We are now spreading out the $85,000 across a whole year. It hardly even covers the salary of one employee.”

According to Starkey, up to 100 individuals visit the Salvation Army every day and many rely on its assistance for basic necessities.

Food, baby wipes, formula, toiletries, and other utility and rental help are just a few examples, he continued.

The United Way attributed the large funding reductions that were made public on August 9 to a decline in donor contributions following the outbreak. Later this week, it is anticipated to release information regarding its $2 million “bridge funding” for affected nonprofits.

“Workers are needed,” Starkey stated. “We have six employees in this department, from case managers to people that give out the food, to a director.”

The Salvation Army’s food pantry will be impacted by the United Way funding reductions to Foodlink, Starkey said.

“That is a big chunk of money to lose and make up,” said Starkey, “especially when you are talking about not just us, but the whole collaborative of social services in Rochester.”