The United Way of Greater Cincinnati kicked off its annual campaign Thursday on sun-splashed Fountain Square, having already raised 25 percent of its cautious goal of $61.1 million.

That number, only about a 1 percent increase over last year's goal of $60.5 million, obviously acknowledges a weakened economy. Two years ago the campaign fell short of its goal by $1.8 million.

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The United Way of Greater Cincinnati includes Hamilton, Clermont and Brown counties in Ohio. It also includes the Middletown area of Butler County, and in Northern Kentucky it includes Boone, Campbell, Kenton and Grant Counties. The campaign ends Oct. 28. The organization's Web site is www.uwgc.org.

Yet during tough economic times, the need for generous giving by the community for the community is even greater. Widespread support is important to help the more than 326 programs at 159 United Way agencies throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky that depend on the campaign. Soon, companies will be asking their employees to give.

Campaign organizers will hold rallies to talk about how United Way helps so many people in need. We encourage everyone to listen, gather information, and then make a personal decision to help.

Organizations and programs that depend on United Way include such deserving efforts as:

• Every Child Succeeds, a regional home visitation program that helps first-time mothers and their children receive health care.

• Success by 6, a program that helps make sure children up to age 6 are healthy and ready to learn.

• Hamilton County Family Violence Project, a partnership between more than 40 public and private agencies that help prevent domestic violence.

• Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky LISC (Local Initiatives Support Cooperation), which works to build and revitalize Greater Cincinnati and Nothern Kentucky communities through financing development projects.

Dozens of others are equally important.

In setting the goal this year, campaign co-chairs James and Vivian Schwab said they took into account layoffs, companies that have gone out of business and leadership givers who are no longer in town.

Yet Cincinnati always has been a charitable city. Despite its size it runs one of the largest United Way campaigns in the United States.

Sure, pocketbook issues have taken front and center this year, and they seem to loom even larger because of presidential politics that highlight dramatic job losses in Ohio. And we know giving might be tougher for some this year.

But the United Way truly improves the lives of many citizens in need every day. Those are people who are depending on the generosity of all of us.