“In the first year of [United Way’s] VITA program, we assisted 85 taxpayers and secured over $100,000 in refunds,” said Margaret Crites, community engagement manager with the Lumber River United Way. “That number grew to 134 in our second year,” she said, “and we are expecting higher numbers this year. But, probably just as importantly, we saved our taxpayers upwards of $30,000 in fees they would have paid for tax preparation. VITA creates a pretty big economic impact on our community.”
Originally created with a grant through United Way of North Carolina, this year the program is supported through a grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, according to United Way officials. “I joke that I went into human services to avoid working with numbers, but I truly enjoy working with our participants,” Crites said
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