Match Day 2013 kicks off on Thursday, March 14th

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- On Thursday, March 14th, individuals can donate to any of the 21 participating agencies or to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Basic Needs Fund for the 2013 "Match Day." A total of $750,000 will be available to match contributions and grow the impact of a donor’s gift. All gifts will be matched proportionately, based on the total amount raised that day by each organization. One organization participating is Pathfinders -- a Milwaukee homeless shelter.

Dealing with homelessness as a teenager was one of the most difficult times of Wilton Johnson's life.

"Hard. It`s unimaginable if you've never been," Wilton said.

After discovering the youth drop-in center and emergency shelter called Pathfinders, Wilton began to develop a sense of hope about his future.

"It`s refreshing because the people who work here really care and it`s not just a job for them," Wilton said.

Pathfinders is one of 21 basic needs organizations participating in Match Day.

This event is sponsored by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, which will use $750,000 to proportionally match online donations to these agencies from midnight to midnight on Thursday.

"The fun and the good part about Match Day is donors can pick any or all of the 21 agencies and give as little as $10 or as much as they wish," Greater Milwaukee Vice President of Communications Rob Guilbert said.

The organizations benefiting from Match Day range from the Hunger Task Force and Feeding America, to Repairers of the Breach and Pathfinders.

"It ensures that we can keep our doors open, that we are available for adolescents when they are in crisis and need us," Pathfinders Senior Vice President of Strategic Development Tim Baack said.

The services of these organizations have touched many lives, including Wilton who is now in college studying to be a teacher.

"It`s to help our neighbors and really if we`re not all secure with food and shelter our community hurts," Guilbert said.

Even the smallest donations on Thursday can make a big difference.

Last year, Match Day raised more than $1 million in donations from people in the community.

CLICK HERE for additional information on Match Day 2013.