Area Wide United Way officials have set a goal of $520,000 for this year's fund drive.

"This is a very aggressive goal," said Ron Hopkins, general chairman of the fund drive.

Hopkins announced the goal at a press conference Tuesday at the United Way office in Cape Girardeau. The campaign officially begins Aug. 31 with a kickoff luncheon at Drury Lodge.

Hopkins, who is a vice president at Commerce Bank, will be assisted in the fund drive by chairman-elect Donna Hanschen, area manager for CyberTel Cellular.

Last year's fund drive exceeded its half-million-dollar goal, raising $508,655.

This year, the money raised will be divided among 26 charitable organizations, one more than last year.

Hopkins said the FISH organization was added to the list by the United Way board of directors.

FISH provides emergency assistance, including food, lodging, medicine, gasoline, bus transportation, and money to pay for utilities for low-income persons. The organization operates with about 100 volunteers.

The Rev. James Caughlan, FISH president, said he was happy that FISH was included on the United Way funding list.

"This is enabling us to keep up with our expansion, rather than maintaining a status quo," Caughlan said.

He said FISH sought United Way funding because of the growth in the number of individuals served by FISH, and the organization's move to larger, rented quarters.

Caughlan said FISH assisted nearly 2,900 persons last year and provided food to more than 1,000 families.

In January, FISH moved its food pantry from the old Maple Avenue United Methodist Church basement on South Ellis to 106 S. Sprigg.

"We don't do walk-ins," said Caughlan. "People have to call in and get approved. We don't want people to become dependent upon us."

He said the organization operates on about a $50,000 annual budget, excluding donations of food.

United Way funding would provide an estimated $5,000, or about 10 percent of its budget, he said.

The organization's traditional base of support has been area churches. Caughlan said that even with United Way funding, that won't change.

"Every summer at this time we get a little concerned because the pantry levels get low," he said. "But somehow the food comes in to meet the needs."