As the summer continues, Pennsylvania is without a state budget and important legislation which effectuates state government's spending plan. This casts a lot of uncertainty on whether state government will continue to pay nonprofits and other human services providers who deliver essential services to seniors, children, individuals with disabilities, and working households who are living paycheck to paycheck.

United Way works with people-serving organizations across our state and will be advocating for payments to continue so services are not interrupted. If there are impacts resulting from state government failing to pay its bills, we will work with our statewide partners to quantify the impact of the budget impasse.

In 2015, a nearly six month budget impasse resulted in services being curtailed, staff being laid off and furloughed, and organizations taking out lines of credit to try to keep their doors open, which cost nonprofit organizations hundreds of thousands of dollars.

As the weather heats up here in PA, we want you to be as safe as possible this summer.

Visit PA 211's website to learn about the extreme heat cooling programs across Pennsylvania.

Our partners at SingleCare offer a discount drug card that is free for all customers to use regardless of income or insurance status.

SingleCare coupons are applicable to most prescription drugs, meaning you can find discounts on medications for each family member!

Your family could get savings of 80% off prescription prices. To start saving, simply ask your pharmacist what the retail price of your prescription is. Then, apply a SingleCare coupon to get a free discount. Repeat this process every time you pick up a refill.

Join us for the Lunch Hour on July 31st with Father Paul Abernathy of the Neighborhood Resilience Project. Father Paul Abernathy is an Orthodox Christian priest and the founding CEO of the Neighborhood Resilience Project.

Since 2011, Fr. Paul has labored with his community to address Community Trauma with Trauma Informed Community Development.

The Lycoming County United Way held its Day of Action on Wednesday, June 21, at community partner locations throughout the city of Williamsport. One of the sites was Sojourner Truth Ministries, a Christian-faith-based nonprofit organization providing homelessness and hunger prevention services, led by executive director Rev. C. Angelique Labadie-Cihanowyz. As the group of volunteers arrived, Angelique had several projects which needed assistance, including painting the church sanctuary.

Several volunteers made their way to grab brushes and rollers when Angelique told the group that there was to be a wedding held in the sanctuary the next day between two members of the ministry. Hearing the news caused a spark of energy in the volunteers to get the job done and have the room looking amazing for the impending nuptials. By the end of the day, the hall was completely refreshed and looked beautiful for the happy couple.

Will you help PA communities improve their financial stability, health, and education? Choose to support your local United Way, efforts to improve life for people who work and struggle to survive (ALICE), or our program to connect people to the help they need (PA 211.) Give, advocate, or volunteer today.