The United Way in Fort McMurray is seeing record funding requests because of the poor economy in the region. Last month the United Way in Wood Buffalo launched a fund raising campaign with the goal of raising $8 million, and so far the agency has received financial requests for 2016 that total around $7.5 million, an increase that the agency believes is tied to the poor economy in the area. Executive Director for the local United Way, Diane Shannon, explained . “This is excessive. It absolutely is a large leap. We’re hearing from the folks that are providing services about the need for family counselling and children’s counselling… as (families) are dealing with the stresses that the changes in job situations and our economy is (creating).”

In 2015 the United Way has helped fund 26 community groups, and 32 groups have asked for funding in 2016 so far. Shannon told the media that “There are important programs that we’re considering that are reaching out to us for the first time ever, or the first time in a number of years.” Shannon also said “We have such positive energy from the folks that are leading the campaigns in the various workplaces around the community. We are getting really great, positive engagement. The folks that are hearing the message understand the need, they see the value in the community, and we just need to keep working away.” Right now the unemployment rate for the Wood Buffalo region is around 6%, and that has led to many requests for help from various agencies.