WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — Many local nonprofits are counting on Giving Tuesday to kick off the season of giving back so they can continue to help others.

What You Need To Know

  • Matthew’s Hope, which has locations in Orange and Brevard counties, has a $1 million matching grant that makes the donations they receive this holiday season worth even more

  • Founder Scott Billue says it has been a tough year, as they've seen triple-digit growth in the people they serve, but the average donation since the pandemic is down 40%

  • For more information on Matthew's Hope, visit the organization's website

Among them is Matthew’s Hope, which has locations in Orange and Brevard counties. This year they have a $1 million matching grant that makes the donations they receive this holiday season worth even more.

Founder Scott Billue loves seeing full shelves in the Matthew’s Hope food pantry, but said it’s getting harder to make that happen.

“We are seeing more and more people in need, and so when we don’t get what we need from the general public in the way of donations that we have to turn around and purchase it,” said Billue.

It’s been a tough year for him making ends meet as the nonprofit has seen triple-digit growth in the number of people they serve. That’s why he’s been patiently waiting for Giving Tuesday.

“The interesting time about this time of year is that we will see about 40% of our budget for next year," Billue said. "Donations will actually come in the last six weeks of this year, so Giving Tuesday kind of launches that."

According to Billue, as much as 11% of their annual budget comes in the last 48 hours of the year — all of which they have to make stretch year round. He said the problem isn't about a lack of people wanting to give.

“We’ve had 15 years of a growing donor list," he said. "Our challenge is our average donation since the pandemic is down about 40%, which, with our growth, that makes it really touch to meet the need."

It’s a growth he has to face with every receipt that comes in. While speaking with Spectrum News, he held up one that was several feet long, which only accounted for two days of service.

“I compare this to going to the store, and imagine when you are cashing out and they said, ‘OK, thank you very much, there’s your week’s groceries. Here is your bill for $30,000,’” said Billue.

He said it takes about $15 million a year to keep both locations open, and even now, they are running with a $500,000 deficit that started during the pandemic. But Billue said he is hoping the end of that shortfall is near.

“We have an anonymous donor that has offered to help us wipe out the debt that we have through a matching grant,” said Billue. “They will match it dollar-for-dollar, so every dollar someone invests in the mission of Matthews Hope, we will receive two. So if we can raise a million, we will end up with 2 million.”

The matching grant, which Billue said is the biggest they’ve ever had by far, will end at midnight on Dec. 31.

He’s hopeful the community will help them take advantage of this opportunity and think of the work they do to get people off the streets and give back, allowing them to serve those in need for another year.

“It’s a big deal, it’s a big push,” said Billue.

Billue also explained that this anonymous donor has agreed to match recurring donations as part of this grant — so if someone pledges to donate $100 a month for the next year, they will get $2,400 matched this New Year.

For more information on Matthew's Hope, visit the organization's website.