When the “new normal” is crisis, community matters more than ever

Since 1970, CommUnity Crisis Services has been providing support to our neighbors facing crisis in one form or another. Grocery assistance, financial assistance, emotional or mental health support - we’re here to help.

I started working at CommUnity in 2021, and it feels like I have been saying the same thing for the past five years: your help is needed now more than ever. Each year, we tell ourselves that if we can just get through this one, things will return to normal.

As we look toward 2026, it is clear that waiting for the old “normal” is no longer an option.

Nonprofits across the country are stepping into the new year with uncertainty. Unstable funding, rising demand for services, and actions by the current administration have created a climate that is not just difficult, but nearly impossible to plan beyond the immediate future.

You may have already felt this shift. You are likely seeing more messages from nonprofits in your inbox, on social media, and across local news. This is not driven by panic or poor planning, but by reality. As we enter 2026, the need for services is growing faster than the resources available to meet it.

The truth is, many organizations across the country will not make it through the year ahead. Some will be forced to scale back, and others may close their doors entirely. That is a hard truth to face, and one that should concern us all, because when nonprofits disappear, so do vital supports for our neighbors.

Here’s the important disclaimer: CommUnity is not going anywhere.

We are fortunate to have a strong foundation of grassroots support and a community that believes in caring for one another. But that does not mean there are no challenges ahead.

We are concerned for our neighbors facing hunger. We are worried for families whose budgets are now breaking under the weight of rising costs. We are concerned about people navigating crises with fewer safety nets than ever before. While CommUnity will continue to show up, the demand for our services will only increase in the year ahead.

The new year demands a new approach - one that prioritizes flexibility, sustainability, and trust in community-based organizations.

How can you help? Make a gift, big or small, that is not restricted to just one program. Unrestricted financial support is critical as it allows us to shift resources as needs change and ensure that essential programs remain strong.

In times like these, community isn’t just a value. It’s a lifeline.

Emma Huntzinger is communications manager at CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank in Iowa City.