Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that takes place each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. In 2025, it falls on Dec 2. Designed to inspire philanthropy, it's the perfect time to consider ways to give back to your community through donations to nonprofits, volunteerism, and acts of kindness that create positive change where they are most needed.
How Social Services Nonprofits Empower Households in Need
Across the country, community-based social services nonprofits like the United Way - organizations that help low-income households improve their financial security - play a critical role in helping hardworking households who still struggle to make ends meet.
Many of these households fall into the ALICE category: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE households earn above the federal poverty level, making them ineligible for many government assistance programs, yet they cannot afford basic necessities such as housing, childcare, transportation, or healthcare.
Here are some of the ways these nonprofits make a difference:
- Bridging financial gaps. Social service nonprofits provide rent assistance, food support, childcare access, and job training to help households maintain stability during financial hardships.
- Empowering communities. By investing in supportive services and strategic corporate partnerships, nonprofits offer resources that foster long-term resilience and help households gain financial security.
- Maximizing donor impact. Because nonprofits operate within their own communities, they understand local needs firsthand and ensure that donations go directly toward effective, meaningful solutions.
- Encouraging a culture of giving. Supporting local nonprofits not only strengthens households in need but also builds stronger, more compassionate communities.
When donors choose to give to local nonprofit organizations that help low-income households, they amplify their contributions, ensuring their generosity has lasting effects for neighbors in need.
Why Support United Way of York County This Giving Season?
In Pennsylvania, the challenges facing many households are clear: housing instability, childcare shortages, and health care barriers continue to impact quality of life. York County is no exception. Despite wage growth in recent years, many households are still financially insecure. As of 2022, 34% were struggling to afford the basics.
Supporting United Way of York County during Giving Tuesday directly addresses these challenges in several important ways:
- Access to essential resources through PA 211. PA 211 is a statewide information and referral service that helps Pennsylvanians find housing, food, healthcare, childcare, and other resources. United Way of York County ensures local residents can connect with life-changing services when they need them most, so they will not have to choose between rent, food, or medical care.
- Free tax preparation. United Way offers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for individuals and families earning under $67,000, with IRS-certified preparers available in person, by drop-off, or online. They also support MyFreeTaxes for easy, no-cost filing, helping families maximize refunds and reduce financial strain.
- Rideshare vouchers to overcome transportation barriers. Recognizing that limited transit access can isolate households, United Way provides Lyft vouchers (up to $20, including tip) for ALICE households navigating essential errands, such as work, school, healthcare appointments, grocery shopping, or childcare. Participants receive vouchers via email within 72 hours and may request up to five.
- Relief from holiday stress. The financial pressures of gift-giving, festive meals, and travel can multiply stress on ALICE households. By supporting the organization, donors can offer holiday help for low-income households so the holidays can feel less like a burden and more like a time of hope and connection.
For Pennsylvanians, supporting these programs is one of the most targeted ways of giving back to your community - literally and geographically. A gift of any size can make a measurable difference for a local family in need. This year, consider making your Giving Tuesday donation to United Way of York County. Your support is more than just a contribution: it's an investment in the future strength, health, and stability of York County communities.
Help Hard-Working Pennsylvania Households with United Way of York County
United Way of York County in Pennsylvania assists working households on their journey toward financial stability. To meet the needs of the ALICE population, we are embarking on an issue-focused strategy to create a transformational impact for workers. We are focusing on two key barriers: childcare and transportation.
We also offer many other resources through PA 211, a free, confidential health and human services information and referral hotline.
We do what no single organization can do alone: We tackle the toughest issues facing our community-working households struggling to cover basic living expenses. But we need your support to do it. With one donation, you can help neighbors and friends. Gifts to the United Way of York County Impact Fund are dollars that stay in York County and impact lives where you live and work. Sign up for updates to see how YOUR support is impacting lives in our community.
You can also volunteer with us to help local families with tax preparation. In addition to helping with preparing taxes, we need greeters, screeners, and translators. Contact us today to see how you can improve the lives of fellow Pennsylvanians!