The 100 Neediest Cases initiative dates back more than a century to the early 1920s. It began as a community festival that provided dinner and toys to families in need. In 1954, the program was officially named 100 Neediest Cases, and the United Way began partnering with the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Each year, the newspaper features the cases to help raise awareness. “The initiative has seen tremendous growth over the years as our caring community continues to provide holiday assistance to well over 100 families,” explains Michelle Tucker, president and CEO of the United Way. “Last year, 100 Neediest Cases assisted 5,370 families. That’s more than 13,500 neighbors, and 7,000 of those positively impacted were children.”
To select the cases that will be featured, the United Way partners with more than 50 nonprofit agencies and school districts in Missouri and Illinois. To qualify, families must be at 125% of federal poverty guidelines or below. They also must provide documents to confirm their unmet needs, such as disconnection notices, eviction notices, change in employment status, police or fire reports, or medical records. “A team of volunteers helps select the 100 Neediest Cases from around 5,000 families,” Tucker says. “Those selected represent the diversity and varied level of assistance needed across the broader group of cases.”
There are a number of ways to support the 100 Neediest Cases program, and 100% of every donation goes directly to helping families. Interested supporters also can adopt families on the case list, providing at least one gift for each member as well as any additional support they wish to. “The holidays can be especially challenging for vulnerable families who struggle to meet basic needs,” Tucker notes. “Your generosity helps brighten the season for so many who simply need a hand to weather through a difficult time. Gifts of every size are appreciated and could be life changing for so many of our neighbors.”
The impact of the 100 Neediest Cases is clear, and Tucker notes that it wouldn’t be possible without help from the community. Last year, St. Louisans raised more than $1.6 million to support families in need. “On behalf of United Way and every single family supported by the 100 Neediest Cases initiative, I want to thank the community for your unwavering support,” Tucker says. “For more than 100 years your generosity has made a significant difference in so many lives by providing hope and optimism during a very difficult time for families. Your kindness is appreciated.”
For more information or to donate, visit 100neediestcases.org.