Amid federal funding cuts Salisbury Urban Ministries loses $11k grant

SALISBURY, Md. – For families facing food insecurity in Wicomico County, Salisbury Urban Ministries has been a vital resource for them.

But the organization’s executive director, Debbie Donoway said recent federal funding cuts have been the barrier between people in need and a meal.

“We do depend on government assistance for a couple of the grants that we have,” said Donoway.

Donaway and her team have had to make limited grant dollars stretch, with two federal grants totaling $11k dollars being stripped away. That money equates to 440 meals.

“I feel like I’m scrambling sometimes, trying to look for alternatives,” said Donoway.

“If you don’t have the money for the food, and we don’t want to take it out of salaries, or the electric, or anything like that, you don’t have the funds to move over. It’s a lot of responsibility. It really is,” she added.

The organization found out in March that it wouldn’t receive all of its funding, and since then, Donoway said they’ve had to make every dollar, and every food donation count, on their Tuesday and Thursday distribution days.

“We need to ask for everything that they can give us. If they can give us five cases of green beans, we’re going to take five cases of green beans,” said Donoway.

And at the height of summer vacation, volunteer Mary Lynn Deckert said ensuring the children stay fed is crucial.

“The kids that are in school, largely, would be getting free lunches and probably free breakfast,” said Deckert.

It’s unclear if and when grant funding will begin funneling into Urban Ministries again, but in the meantime, Donoway said everyone should consider the severity of the issue, because so many people depend on their services.

“It’s not just a certain group of people; it might be your neighbor, your brother, or your sister,” said Donoway.