From youth sports to health programs to emergency food and utility support to senior citizen support, the United Way helps fund organizations that touch every corner of the community. This year, it appears, they will just do less of that good work.

As noted in the news pages earlier this week, River Cities United Way has hit about 60 percent of its Lake Havasu City fundraising goal of $550,000. With about $330,000 raised some guess the organization will hit about $400,000 for the year.

That may be pretty good for a down economy but the reality is that the need in our community for the services funded through United Way is increasing even as donations decline. Through partner agencies, the services provided create a safety net for the people in our city who are most vulnerable: the elderly, kids, and those with health issues.

Those who need these services are largely the invisible ones, the neighbor assumed to be on vacation who really has power disconnected, the aging acquaintance who isn't getting nutrition or the seemingly happy child at the park whose dental needs threaten his future health.

This time of year, a lot of groups have their hands out. Many do good work yet both the needs and the requests for help can be overwhelming to people.

United Way offers a way to help those in teh community or across the globe, if that is a donor's intention-without the need for deep investigation of every charitable request. A local board oversees a funding team that analyzes funding proposals from dozens of groups around our area. From there, United Way's donations are targeted to produce the greatest result.

For donors, many of whom contribute through workplace campaigns, United Way's record keeping helps pave the way for tax credits for donations to the working poor.

The United Way exhibits an admirable mix of determination and sensitivity in seeking donations. Its leaders understand that many potential donors may be a paycheck away from needing assistance themselves. Yet they show, on behalf of those they serve, gratitude for whatever comes their way.

This year's local goal is the same amount as it was four years ago. Hitting it would help the community greatly. Even then, there would be many unmet needs.

Falling 25 percent below goal matters. It signals a widening gap between social needs and the ability to provide those services. It matters more because friends and neighbors are the ones in need.