United Way of Douglas County officials said Wednesday that they were trying to strike a balance in announcing their fund-raising goal of $1.46 million, the same target as last year.

“It’s going to be a tough year,” said Mary Kate Ambler, who is co-chair of the drive with her husband, David.

“We believe, however, that if the community will work together, we can achieve this level of resources for our local human services agencies,” she said.

Last year, United Way of Douglas County fell $60,000 short of the same targeted amount. Drive officials said a combination of factors contributed to the shortfall: Many who usually donate directed their contributions to Sept. 11-related charities; the national economy started to slide; and several local businesses either shut down or moved.

United Way officials said they would face an equally challenging task this year.

A tight state budget has resulted in frozen salaries at Kansas University and fee increases at Lawrence public schools.

But because of the continued hard economic times, agencies that rely on the United Way are seeing an increased need for services.

“All of those needs are not going to go away. There is probably quite a bit more stress put on those agencies,” Ambler said.

For example, the Salvation Army usually closes its homeless shelter during the summer, but this year it has remained open and is averaging more than 20 people a night.

“We are seeing more homeless, more families who are homeless and many families who are right on the edge,” said Capt. Carolyn Schuetz of the Salvation Army.

United Way is now working to make sure that Lawrence residents who commute to Topeka or Kansas City for work designate that their donations made at the office should come back to their home town.

The theme of this year’s fund drive is “A Community Challenged A United Response.”

The campaign will kick off Sept. 14 with “A Day of Caring,” when hundreds of volunteers will do projects at various agencies around the city.