Fewer free meals. Crowded after-school programs. Battered women unable to get help. Alcoholics turned away from programs.

        Social service agencies that count on United Way are worried about the struggling 2001 campaign to raise $60 million. The umbrella agency that annually generates money for more than 160 nonprofit organizations in eight counties has raised $40.2 million with six days to go.

        United Way is seeking donations at a time Tristaters are pinching pennies: a combination, perhaps, of the economic downturn, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the war on terrorism.

        “This is a very difficult and challenging campaign. I can't remember a worse year. The campaign is running the risk of a serious shortfall,” said Carol Aquino, United Way spokeswoman.

        United Way agencies annually help one in three Cincinnatians. Representatives remain optimistic but know that they'll have to consider program cuts if United Way doesn't reach its goal.

        “It's too early to tell. We really won't know what kind of changes we have to make until the ink is dry,” said Bill Brown, executive director of Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses.

        The agency operates family resource centers in West End, East End and Lincoln Heights.

        “It's important to remember that there are local needs,” said Barbara Howard, executive director of the Redwood Rehabilitation Center in Fort Mitchell. “There are support systems that we spent so long building. We don't want those to go by the wayside, either.”

        United Way provides 20 percent of Redwood's $3.1 million budget. The money helps the agency provide 248,000 hours of educational, vocational and therapeutic help to the disabled.

        United Way's overall campaign is divided into sub-campaigns. They include Hamilton County; the eastern campaign of Brown and Clermont counties; the Middletown campaign; and the Northern Kentucky campaign of Boone, Grant, Campbell and Kenton counties.

        The eastern campaign is more than 50 percent of the way toward contributing $1.7 million toward the overall goal. Northern Kentucky has raised $1.6 million, and Middletown has raised about $865,000 for the overall effort. That's 41 percent and 51 percent toward their respective, individual goals.

        Anyone interested in contributing to United Way can call 762-7100; pledge online at www.uwgc.org; or mail a check to United Way 2001 Campaign, 2400 Reading Road, Cincinnati 45202.

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