With less than two weeks left in the Cornell United Way Campaign and in the Hunger and Food Security Drive that was launched for the last six weeks of the campaign, Campaign Chair Anne Kenney asks those who still would like to make a difference in the lives of people in the local area to pledge to the campaign. As of March 28, the university had reached $752,772, or 92 percent, of its $815,000 goal.

“Each year, whether we meet our goal or not, people in the community still are in need of prescription medications, still undergo unforeseen disasters or expenses, still go hungry, still can gain some measure of relief in their daily lives from the funds the United Way makes available to our local service agencies,” she said. “Every gift, even those coming in at the last moment of the campaign, makes a difference in the lives of people in our neighborhoods.”

Kenney noted that while giving levels were down from last year in many units, they rose in several, including the College of Engineering, School of Hotel Administration, Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Division of Student and Academic Services, and the University Library.

More importantly, nearly half of all units increased their participation rates to above 20 percent of total staff or faculty, a good indicator for next year. Among the larger units, these included the divisions of Alumni Affairs and Development, Human Resources and Safety Services, and Financial Affairs, and Cornell Cooperative Extension, Hotel Administration, Johnson, University Library and University Relations.

“The success of the Cornell United Way campaign truly does hinge on the engagement of its supporters all across campus, and that really came home to me this time around,” Kenney said. “I want to thank everyone – our ambassadors, our student leaders, our senior staff – for their roles in supporting, advocating for and giving to this year’s United Way campaign.”

The campaign ends April 17. To contribute directly to the Hunger and Food Security Fund, go to https://www.givegab.com/centers/united-way-of-tompkins-county/campaigns/hunger-and-food-security-fund. You can also contribute to the more encompassing Cornell United Way campaign.