A South Toledo neighborhood center could have to close its doors in a matter of months, depriving an underserved community of essential services, its leaders fear.

The Providence Center, formerly known as Aurora Gonzalez Community and Family Resource Center, faces the June 30 expiration of a two-year, $75,000 grant from United Way of Greater Toledo.

"I believe we have to be very honest about the vulnerability," said Michele Toth, the group's executive director.

"This agency's doors will close."

Ms. Toth said she is hoping to raise funds from the community to keep the center at 1205 Broadway open until a more permanent funding stream can be arranged or possibly strengthen a partnership with Toledo Area Ministries to help stabilize the center. She has led the center since 2005.

The Providence Center for Social and Economic Development had revenue of more than $4 million in the fiscal year from July 2010 to June 2011, according to its most recent tax returns.

The vast majority of Providence's revenues cover the Child and Adult Care Food Program; the center acts as a meal sponsor to more than 300 home day care providers in Lucas and surrounding counties. The center is then reimbursed for the cost of the meals and administering the program.

The federally funded nutrition program, similar to the federal school lunch or summer food programs, requires sponsors to have additional outside funding; Ms. Toth said the agency's United Way funding was the only significant and consistent outside money source.

The center's mission is to enhance families by providing educational, recreational, and social programs for area residents. It also provides services, such a food pantry that operates three days a week through a partnership with Toledo Area Ministries.

The Rev. Steve Anthony, executive director of Toledo Area Ministries, said his organization is considering a more serious partnership to reposition the center.

One woman who was using the pantry on a recent afternoon said it was critical to helping her feed her children.

"It is very helpful when you need it," said Victoria Bernal, who lives nearby.

"If there wasn't these places, I don't know what I would do."

One agency board member, Douglas Bick, said he believes the neighborhood food pantry is one of the most valuable services the Providence Center offers. He also pointed to the center's fatherhood and antidomestic-violence initiatives as good for the community.

"We're in the neighborhood," he emphasized. "We're not downtown or in some hoity-toity building."

Bill Kitson, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Greater Toledo, said he feels bad about the Providence Center's crisis, but the agency had two years' notice that its United Way funding was limited.

"[It was] a two-year opportunity for them to figure out what they're going to do next," he said. The grant to the Providence Center was to study urban gardening and social entrepreneurship. Those who provide funding to nonprofit agencies are concerned about agencies having a mission and a focus, Mr. Kitson said, adding that this could be an opportunity for the center to refocus more on the neighborhood.

The center's most recent tax return states it has 11 employees and about 40 volunteers. The highest-paid employee is Ms. Toth, at a salary of $50,333 and $4,420 in other compensation.

The Ohio Department of Education, which administers the Child and Adult Care Food Program, requires sponsors "to be financially viable -- meaning they must have additional funding to maintain their business in the event that the federal dollars were not available," according to a statement from Patrick Gallaway, a department spokesman.

"For example, they must be able to pay their payroll and rent during the time when the state shuts down all financial business to reconcile their books at the end of June," Mr. Gallaway said. "The agencies cannot operate on [U.S. Department of Agriculture] dollars alone."

Mr. Gallaway said if the Providence Center were to close, the department's office of child nutrition would contact all the providers the Providence Center works with to assist them in obtaining a new sponsor for the food program.

Mr. Bick said the agency closing its doors would be a blow to the neighborhood.

"We've been a stable agency for the last 12 or 13 years. [Closing] takes resources away," he said. "It would take an active building away."

Contact Kate Giammarise at: kgiammarise@theblade.com or 419-724-6091.

First Published May 14, 2012, 4:00 a.m.