As the Swift Current United Way begins to close its doors, those who benefited from the non-profit organization are speaking about their experience with them.

While the United Way's presence in Swift Current is leaving, donations to the United Way originating from Swift will still be coming back to the city.

Beneficiaries of the organization range from the Swift Current branches of the Canadian Mental Health Association, and Canadian National Institute For The Blind, and SCCYI, all of which received donations from this years Foundation of Hope Gala.

Southwest Homes employs those who have intellectual disabilities and also received funding from the United Way, said that while they hope to still collect donations from the organization yet, they may still need to find ways to fill the gaps they will leave behind.

Lana Stangland, executive director of Southwest Homes, said that while they may still receive donations from the organization, less promotion for Southwest Homes may be an issue.

"Well, I think there's always a gap when people are trying to promote themselves, just because I know when you're not for profit, there isn't a lot of money for advertising," she stated. "That's an issue we've always had to deal with, because typically you don't have a budget for that, so the United Way did assist with that, as far as promoting our organization out in the public, because we just kind of followed along with them."

Nathan Wiebe, executive director of SCCYI, said that he is also hopeful that donations from United Way will continue allowing the organization to provide hot meals to youth, and will still apply for the grant from the organization.

"We're still going to apply for the grant, and I know there will still be monies available for applicants, so we will still continue to do that, and hopefully that's successful, but in the grand scheme of things, with our relationship with United Way and the longevity we've been able to have with that grant, the future is... we don't know what that'll hold."

Heather Lennox, executive director of Southwest Crisis Services, said that over the past five decades the United Way has been good to the non-profit.

"We're very appreciative for the 52 years that they had the local United Way, and we're very thankful for their support over the years, and we look forward to what the future will bring."

Donations from Swift Current to the Regina United Way are said to be re-distribuded within Swift Current.