The Economy. Given what we’re all facing, its probably no surprise that it remains Topic One when ministry and social service leaders get together. Whether it’s a drop in contributions, like what “Giving USA 2009” reported earlier this summer, or a spike in requests for assistance, everyone is scrambling to help.

Brad Butler brought this point home during a recent United Way board meeting. His organization, the Christians United Outreach Center in Sanford, is a true gauge of what’s happening locally, because the center stands on the front lines, handling the most basic of all needs — feeding people who can’t afford food.

So when he told everyone that CUOC was now distributing 38,000 pounds of food a month, you could hear a collective gasp around the table. Think about that: 19 tons of food in one month alone! Since the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that the average low-income meal uses about 1.3 pounds of ingredients, that means one local agency, alone, is providing roughly 29,230 meals each month. Extend that over a year, and the total is a staggering 350,760 meals — an enormous amount of food.

That’s one reason why the United Way of Lee County has adopted a new approach for this year’s campaign. “Back to Basics” is what we’re calling it, and it’s exactly what you think. Because so many people in our community need the essentials of life — food, shelter and clothing — that’s where we’re focusing contributions.

We’re still supporting other important causes, of course; more than two dozen local organizations receive your help, and contributors can still have their donations targeted to any group the United Way supports. But volunteers from around the community who decide how to invest United Way contributions believe they’ll do the most good right now on those basic needs the organization was created to meet.

Which brings us to this year’s fall campaign — and how you can make our community a better place.

The “Back to Basics ’09” campaign launches on August 27 in Depot Park, before the season-ending “Function at the Junction” concert by the beach and classic rock band RN5P, and runs through the end of this year. You’ll hear more about the kickoff event in coming weeks, but the important thing to know now is that the fall campaign is an ideal way to make your own impact on our community.

How?

Hold a United Way campaign in your company. It’s not as hard as you may think, and there’s plenty of help available from Michele Bullard, who joined the United Way this summer as program services director and is experienced in running corporate campaigns.

Make your own contribution through your workplace campaign or by contacting the United Way directly. Any amount is deeply appreciated, but if you make a “fair share” contribution — the equivalent of one hour of pay per month for the year or an annual donation of $500 or more — you’ll be eligible to enter our third annual “Automobile Give-Away” for a chance to win a brand new car.

Or, volunteer your time. Plenty of local groups urgently need your help. About two dozen are listed on the United Way Web site, leecountyunitedway.org, and you can find others by dialing 211 on your phone.

Before too long, the economy will turn around, as it always does. Until then, it’s important that we get “back to the basics.” Because it’s not only the size of an individual gift, but the groundswell of support — all of us doing something — that makes Lee County a better place for everyone.