Read more: Local, Community, Madonna House, Fundraising, Quincy, Cuts, Budget
The Madonna House in Quincy is facing an uncertain future, as it asks for your help to keep it going.
It's kicking off its Christmas Fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $25 thousand this year. But that's just a fraction of what the Madonna House lost this year.
In fact the organization lost 40 percent of its budget in 2009.
Half of that was due to state budget cuts and less money from funders like the United Way.
If that weren't bad enough, Madonna house is down nearly $20 thousand in private donations and campaign dollars to help house mothers and children like this little girl.
That's because with the slow economy, many who've given to the organization are actually facing tight times themselves.
Barb Hicks, the Executive Director of the Madonna House said, "We've had people come to the food pantry who say we have sent monthly checks and supported Madonna House but my husband has lost his job and we're having a difficult time making ends meet. and now we are utilizing the food pantry."
This comes at a tough time for the Madonna House, as the folks they serve monthly has more than doubled to more than 600 and the shelter's waiting list is increasing.
What would happen if this money doesn't come through?
Hicks said, "The services we provide would be threatened as well as being able to maintain the current level of staff we have. We wouldn't be able to provide the supplies and the food and the food pantry because we wouldn't have the staff to manage that. So those services would be cut down."
Executive Director Barb Hicks says she knows times are tight, but small monthly donations, or even hosting fundraisers to benefit the organization would help keep services going for those who really need it.
Log onto www.madonnahouse.net to find out how you can help.
