History

The United Way in Selma began in 1944 as the Community Chest was organized with the purpose of funding community organizations for the benefit of the people of Dallas County. The original organizations funded by the Community Chest were:

• Salvation Army
• Girl Scouts
• Crippled Children
• Cancer Control
• Alabama War Chest
• Boy Scouts
• Y.M.C.A.

  Keke 2006 Poster Child

• Tuberculosis Association

In that year the Chest raised $51,510.64.

In 1952 the Community Chest was desolved due to lack of interest. In 1954, The United Community Services of Selma and Dallas County were formed. By that time the organization was funding 10 agencies: Red Cross, Cancer Society, Salvation Army, Crippled Children, U.S.O., Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Selma Y.M.C.A., Carver Y.M.C.A., Mental Health. In that that year the campaign raised $93,397.75. It worked and raised money under the name of "United Appeal"; in 1975, the organization formally joined United Way of America and began doing business as the United Way of Selma and Dallas County.

The campaign has grown from raising $93,397.75 to over $500,000.00 and funding 18 local agencies. The growth of the United Way in Dallas County is due in large part to the generosity of not only money but also time from the numerous volunteers that turn out each year. 

In 1993, the United Way formed another operating division. The Selma Area Food Bank is a wholly owned division of the United Way of Selma and Dallas County. The food bank is responsible for food distribution in a four county area. In 1997, the food bank celebrated distributing it's 3 millionth pound of food. In 1999, the food bank went through a modernization and added racking that tripled the warehouse capacity, new computer systems, and will soon add a loading dock. Plans are in the works to purchase a new truck for food deliveries.  Agencies that qualify can get food from the food bank at a cost of 14¢ per pound, regardless of the type of food.

All of the money raised here in Dallas County is restricted for use by agencies for programs only in Dallas County.