For many Americans, the impact of the cuts imposed by sequestration is unclear. They are unsure how they, or their neighbors, will be affected. For the millions of Americans who are employed by nonprofits, the many more millions who volunteer for these organizations, and the millions who are served daily by nonprofits, the cuts will have a significant impact on their lives.
Even before sequestration, nonprofits were reporting dramatically increased demands for their services, at a rate of more than 70 percent each of the last four years, according to the National Council of Nonprofits.
The sequestration cuts will — among many other things — stop 4 million meals to seniors; drop 600,000 women, infants, and children from the WIC nutrition program, and halt services to 150,000 returning veterans. Yet children, seniors, veterans and their families will still need those services, so they will turn to already overwhelmed nonprofits for help.
In addition, sequestration will directly cut income for millions through job loss, furloughs and emergency unemployment. They too will turn to nonprofits.
At the same time, every nonprofit with a federally funded contact or grant will lose 9 percent of its federal funding for fiscal year 2013.
It is vitally important that our elected officials understand the impact of sequestration on nonprofits and the people and families we serve. If you have been helped by a human service agency, are employed by one or want to help ensure that these vital organizations are able to continue serving our communities,
I urge you to contact your senator or representative to call for a quick end to sequestration.
Chris Burke is CEO of Unity House in Troy.