United Way of Bruce Grey (Photo by Nathan Shubert)
The Executive Director of the United Way Bruce Grey says 2025 was a challenging year for the organization.
Francesca Dobbyn says one particular challenge over the past year was the changing economy.
“The economy has been all over the map with a tariff trade war and the impact on our donors, the impact on the general community,” says Dobbyn. “Putting chaos out there into everything, so it has been challenging year, but we are always up for a challenge.”
She says the economy is turning some of the United Way’s donors into clients.
“We are seeing more and more stress in food sectors so we are trying to support our food banks, our community meal programs, our garden programs to help them fed people. All our numbers across the board are though the roof, so it has been a real challenge that way. We have doubled how much utility assistance is needed, we are also seeing a major decline in donations. We have seen about $50,000 lost in special events that just didn’t happen because companies change their minds about things as they coped as well,” says Dobbyn.
The past year was not all challenges, however, as Dobbyn says her highlights from 2025 include the backpack program and the annual Coldest Night of the Year event.
“We are always having a lot of fun with our backpack program in the summer, 2,300 fully-stuffed backpacks, lots of stuff the bus events throughout the community,” says Dobbyn. “Coldest Night of the Year in February, just incredible support coming out of Kincardine, Saugeen Shores, over in Meaford and Markdale for that event.”
Looking ahead to the new year, Dobbyn says she is looking forward to another Coldest Night of the Year event in February.
“That is always a big boost in the middle of winter for us as just knowing how much support there is out there for people that are really challenged,” says Dobbyn.
She thanks the community for the continued support to the United Way.
“We are really looking forward to hopefully things turning around in 2026,” says Dobbyn.