The United Way in Sarnia Lambton had to make some tough choices this year.

The 2021 campaign officially wrapped up raising $1,647,000 of the $1,750,000 goal.

Community volunteers reviewed 39 programs with $2,171,320 in funding requests

“There was just not enough money to fund every program and service, the volunteers went through each application while reviewing past successes of the previously funded programs,” said Gerry Whitcombe, Volunteer Community Investment Chair.

In all, 18 programs received the same funding as 2021, five new programs received money, five others had their funding reduced and five programs did not receive funding this year.

The United Way focuses on programs which help kids and seniors and helps lift people out of poverty.

The money this year will be used for everything from the Big Brothers and Sisters Matching program, Meals on Wheels, school nutrition programs, counselling, the Distress Line and the Tel Check program, suicide prevention, income tax clinics, rent and utility assistance, dental, medical and prescription assistance.