Dear Editor,
My name is Ashley Wood, President & CEO of River Cities United Way, and I’m reaching out today with an important request to help strengthen the resources our partner nonprofits rely on during a time of unprecedented need.
The beginning of 2025 delivered challenges that few organizations could have anticipated. The Federal Freeze significantly impacted local nonprofits, reducing access to essential funding and limiting direct services for residents in need. Many agencies were forced to restructure, downsize, or—heartbreakingly—close their doors.
Throughout these challenges, River Cities United Way has continued to serve as a stabilizing force through grants, advocacy, program support, and volunteer capacity building. But the demand for food assistance has risen sharply, and our partners are struggling to keep up.
The recent government shutdown added another unforeseen barrier for families. In Arizona, 1 in 15 residents relies on SNAP, including more than 30,000 individuals in Mohave County. As support systems tighten, the number of families turning to local nonprofits for food grows each week. Today, 1 in 4 children goes to bed hungry—a statistic that represent our neighbors, our coworkers, and our children’s friends.
To help meet this urgent need, River Cities United Way has launched the Healthy Holidays Campaign, and we’re grateful to share that every dollar donated will be matched dollar-for- dollar up to $3,000. This means your generosity can immediately double its impact, helping us place fresh groceries and essential items into the hands of families who need them most.
Together, we can turn $3,000 into $6,000—direct support that will strengthen our nonprofit partners and ensure no child goes hungry.
United, we can change lives every day. Will you join us?
Ashley Wood
President & CEO, River Cities United Way
