If you haven’t filled out the census materials you received in the mail recently you still have plenty of time…but officials say just make sure to do it. Fond du Lac Area United Way director Amber Kilawee says the census is mandatory, but it’s fairly easy to fill out and it only takes a few minutes to finish. “We need to make sure that people are counted. Over 130 programs count on census data for programming to distribute funds to programs,” Kilawee told WFDL news. Cities use census information to have an accurate population count which directly impacts federal funding for things like road improvements, services for low and moderate income households, social services for seniors, schools and hospitals. Kilawee says the census data is critical for a number of United Way member agencies. The census asks basic democraphic questions such as your sex, race, and how many people live in the household. You can fill out the information online, by phone, or through the mail. Because of COVID-19, the deadline has been pushed back to August 14.
