It is safe to say that we have all felt the effects of the recession and the snail paced economic recovery.

It is also safe to say that we have all been affected by the recent government shutdown and the congressional squabbling over the debt, health care and the budget.

But do you realize how profoundly these events have affected the nonprofit community’s ability to raise the necessary funds to protect the safety net in our community?

When the government shutdown,  the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) also shut down for the duration.

The shutdown affected the CFC’s ability to run an effective campaign and has now put what would normally be a $2 million campaign effort over $800,000 dollars behind last year’s campaign at the same time.

For United Way of Kitsap County, already having difficulty raising dollars this year because of the government shutdown and economic uncertainty, the CFC shutdown translates to United Way receiving at this point in time $175,000 less from CFC.

Add to that the nervousness of the general population and United Way is now $245,000 below last year’s campaign at the same time.

To add to the problem, the local Bell Ringers drive that would normally bring in around $100,000 during the holiday season to help all of the local area food banks is now sitting at less than $50,000 with only a few days left in the year.

What does this do to United Way’s, CFC’s and the Bell Ringers’ ability to bolster the community safety net?

In short, it devastates all of our combined efforts to help the less fortunate in our community and helps drive them further into despair.

We desperately need the community’s help. No outside help is on its way to bolster the community safety net.

The safety net is supported by a combination of United Way, CFC, the Bell Ringers drive and the community at large.

We must all work together; charity begins at home and Kitsap County is our home.

If you are a shipyard worker or an active duty service member, please contribute to CFC.

If you are a Kitsap County resident, please help United Way, the Bell Ringer drive or your favorite local charity.

It may be the most important thing you do this year.

Our community of Kitsap County is relying on you.

Please make a tax deductible donation today and protect the community’s safety net.

David Foote is the executive director of the United Way of Kitsap County located in Bremerton.

To find out more, or to donate, go to www.unitedwaykitsap.org, or email dfoote@unitedwaykitsap.org.