5 Reasons why need is real in July (and how you can make it better)

SHARE Charlotte’s SummerSHARE runs through July 21 and is an easy, fun way for the community to purchase items that nonprofits need most right now. Visit summershare.org to shop for items that will greatly help Charlotte’s local nonprofits continue to operate and provide much-needed services at a time when they are so desperately needed.

So, it’s July. You might be heading to the beach or the mountains for a week. Or you might be staying here in town, but your kids are out of school and they may be bored. You may frequently head to your neighborhood pool or the YMCA for a swim. You stay cool with trips to the movies, ice cream … anything to keep the kids entertained and out of trouble.

This is all great! Except there’s a large population of Charlotteans that are struggling in the summer because people are on vacation and their kids are home from school. Resources are strained and local organizations scramble to meet the needs of the people who need them. Need is great. And need does not get a vacation.

SummerSHARE begins today to provide a very easy way to give need a vacation. Here are a few reasons why summer is so rough for Charlotte nonprofits:

Many families struggle during the summer.

Many households struggle to provide basics like food and childcare during the summer months. School provides a safe place and guaranteed meals for many of Charlotte’s kids from August through May.

“Needs rise at the same time donations go down,” Sue Bruce, Loaves & Fishes communications manager, said. “Struggling families need even more help. Every July we see an increase in families struggling just to put food on the table.”

Donations are very low.

While giving is top of mind in November and December, it is not June or July. A majority of Charlotte nonprofits receive the least amount of donations in July.

Volunteers take breaks.

In July many people in Charlotte leave town and many volunteers take breaks from school-year routines. Or it’s just too hot.

“Due to heat and vacations, less folks want to volunteer,” said Rachel Eldridge, volunteer services manager for Habitat for Humanity Charlotte.

Preparation for fall programming is tough without resources.

Fall is right around the corner and many supplies are being gathered in the summer, but it’s a struggle.

“Giving drops off during the summer,” said Adair Hill with TheCenter for Community Transitions. “Meanwhile, we need to obtain school supplies and backpacks for our families who cannot afford them so they’ll be ready to start school in August.”

Corporate sponsors are tough to reach.

As organizations are planning for fall and winter programs, many corporate supporters are on vacations or out of office, which creates challenges.

But, we can all do something.

SummerSHARE is an easy way to alleviate the needs of Charlotte nonprofits who are addressing very real needs in our community. Scroll through products at summershare.org to learn who needs what and why. Then with a few clicks and a few bucks you can purchase these much-needed items which will be sent directly to the organizations. Then encourage your friends to do the same. It’s easy and will make a big difference.

Photos: Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, Nathan Villaume

This story was originally published July 9, 2017 at 9:00 PM with the headline "5 Reasons why need is real in July (and how you can make it better)."