A teen pregnancy prevention program, meat vouchers for families in need, a fine arts after-school program and addiction recovery services are among 14 projects receiving grant money from the Le Mars United Way this year.

Fourteen local agencies will be receiving a total of $58,500 from the nonprofit organization to provide area families with basic needs and services.

The Le Mars United Way Board of Directors announced Monday approved grants to local agencies for the 2008-09 fiscal year.

"As it is every year, it was challenging because we are not able to support every request," said Kathy Bartelli, volunteer chair of the Le Mars United Way's Board of Directors.

Bartelli also noted available funds were down from previous years due to economic issues impacting the Le Mars area this past year.

"The good news is we were able to fund programs that will help families with food and other basic needs," stated Bartelli. "This is in addition to supporting services like after-school programming, counseling for victims of violence, and teenage pregnancy prevention education."

Bartelli estimated the local volunteer board members spent about four hours in meetings and visited with local agencies to discuss how United Way funds could better impact the community. Funding decisions were made based on this careful review, available funds, and how services would impact Le Mars' area residents.

Bartelli concluded by saying that even though the process is challenging, it is very rewarding because you can see the tangible difference being made in the Le Mars area through the Le Mars United Way.

Listed below is a breakdown of the funding that area agencies will receive for fiscal year 2008-2009:

* American Red Cross: Siouxland Chapter

Emergency Services & Services to Military Families - $2,000

* Christian Needs Center

Milk & Meat Vouchers for needy families - $5,000

* Council on Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence (CSADV)

Ply. County Rural Outreach & Prevention Education - $10,500

* Floyd Valley Hospital

"Baby Think it Over" teen pregnancy prevention ed. - $3,000

* Gehlen Catholic Schools

Transitional Kindergarten - $5,000

* Jackson Recovery

Addiction Recovery Services - $2,500

* The Living Center

Food, housing, utilities, and counseling assistance - $4,500

* Le Mars Area Family YMCA

YMCA program scholarships to needy families - $6,000

* Le Mars Arts Council

After-school Programs in Fine Arts - $3,000

After-school programming - $5,000

* Plains Area Mental Health

Evening & Weekend Therapy - $5,000

Technology for Disabled Clients - $1,000

* Plymouth County Senior Helpmate

Transportation & personal assistance for senior citizens - $5,000

* Siouxland Youth for Christ

Intervention services for adjudicated juveniles - $1,000

The Le Mars United Way will begin this year's fundraising efforts Thursday, August 28 with a four person scramble 18 hole Golf Tournament at the Le Mars Golf Course. For more information on this tournament, the Le Mars United Way campaign, or the funding decisions, contact United Way at 712-255-3551 or visit unitedwaysiouxland.com.

The Le Mars United Way's mission, according to their website, is "to enhance Siouxland's capacity to care for one another by working together through effective partnerships and leveraging of community resources."