August 2025
Merrill Area United Way
Debbie Moellendorf, Executive Director
Recently, the latest United for ALICE Report (2023) was released for Lincoln County. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE households bring in less income than the costs in our county for housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care and technology, plus taxes. It does not include savings for emergencies or future goals like college or retirement. Yet because their income is above the Federal Poverty Level, these households often don’t qualify for assistance. According to the report, 34% or 3 out of 10 households in Lincoln County were below the ALICE Threshold in 2023.
As circumstances change, households may find themselves below or above the ALICE threshold at different times. For example, a family may be able to meet their expenses and then a child has significant health issues so one of the parents who had been employed is now unable to work. That household is now faced with a reduction in income and making difficult decisions on how to pay for their basic expenses on top of the additional costs for medical care they may be incurring. The crux of the struggle for ALICE families is the gap between wages and expenses to provide the essentials. This can be especially true as economic factors or circumstances change.
This is where Merrill Area United Way and our partner agencies are there to help. Merrill Area United Way strengthens our community by providing financial support to area agencies that serve our youth, individuals and families in need or in crisis. In 2024, United Way provided a total of $211,890 to support 19 agencies (all 501C3 charities) with programs advancing health, youth opportunity and financial security. Working together, we were able to provide this support through the generous donations received from individuals, families, retirees, and businesses in our community during our annual fall campaign.
In September, our annual campaign kicks off with the arrival of our Merrill Area United Way flyer in your mailbox. This is your invitation to donate to United Way. A donation of any amount can help your neighbors, family, and friends in their time of need. If this is not a time you can give, remember that United Way does accept donations year-round and donations stay local.
Fall is also the time that area businesses are being asked to support United Way by holding a fundraising event, making a one-time donation or quarterly pledge or holding a workplace campaign. Church Mutual Insurance Company, our largest corporate and employee supporter, will run their workplace company campaign in September. We want to thank Church Mutual and all the businesses that have supported and continue to support Merrill Area United Way.
We are stronger together. Dollars donated to Merrill Area United Way stay local to support programs here in our community. The more successful our campaign is, the more we can distribute to area agencies. By working together, we can continue to connect people with the opportunities they need to reach their full potential and make the Greater Merrill area a place where everyone can thrive.
For more information or to explore ways you can support Merrill Area United Way visit our website at merrillareaunitedway.org or contact Debbie Moellendorf, Executive Director via email director@merrillareaunitedway.org or phone 715-536-2016.