As of Nov. 2, the top five requests for 2-1-1 assistance in Pennsylvania were housing and shelter at 42.1%, utilities at 17%, health care and COVID-19 assistance at 10%, employment and income 8.7%, and food at 6.2%. Hundreds of nonprofit organizations exist in Lancaster County specifically to meet these and other needs. For instance, Good Samaritan Services provides a full continuum of care to individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Tenfold - an organization formed by the merger of Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP) and Tabor Community Services in 2020 - offers housing advocacy and financial empowerment to Lancaster County residents. The list goes on and on.

On one day, 24 hours, the Lancaster County Community Foundation (LCCF) provides a platform in which people can donate money to participating nonprofits serving this region. This platform, the Extraordinary Give (ExtraGive), is celebrating its 10th year in 2021. Over $60 million has been raised for local organizations by more than 40,000 donors since LCCF started the ExtraGive. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, last year's ExtraGive brought in about $13.4 million.

This year's ExtraGive is set for Friday, Nov. 19. Beginning at 12:00:01 a.m. on Nov. 19, individuals may make donations via credit card to participating nonprofits at http://www.extragive.org. All participating organizations will receive a prorated portion of the stretch pool, which will total at least $500,000. Also, an additional $50,000 in prizes will be offered to participating nonprofit organizations throughout the day in the form of various incentive structures. The funds for the stretch pool and the prizes are available thanks to the LCCF and presenting sponsors. More than 500 nonprofits will participate in the upcoming ExtraGive. To qualify, participants must serve Lancaster County residents, be a registered 501(c)(3) organization in good standing, and have independent audits or reviews.

Each participating nonprofit has its own profile on the ExtraGive website, and some include a nondiscriminatory policy, which is a new feature. "This is a nice addition because it helps people know that their values are reflected in the organization to which they're donating," stated Tracy Cutler, executive vice president of LCCF.

From 6 p.m. to midnight on Nov. 19, LCCF will host the ExtraGive Fest in Penn Square as it counts down the final hours of the event. Live music will be provided by DJ Salinger; Sir Dominique Jordan, The Prolific One; Adrian Garcia; and Mama Tried. There will be a local beer garden from Springhouse Brewing Company as well as local food pop-ups from East King Street businesses, such as Tellus360, Blazin' J's, and New Holland Coffee Co. All are welcome to attend. Unvaccinated guests will be encouraged to wear masks.

"The day is all about giving - giving back to the nonprofits that serve our county," said Cutler.