“I think the big thing is that we’re grateful for the community’s support of this because there’s so much need, and honestly we think it’s bad now, but we believe that in all truthfulness it’s probably only going to get worse as the summer goes on,” Pedraza said. “The unemployment and the need is only going to continue to rise, so we’re grateful for everybody who has given dollars to us.”
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Money from the COVID-19 Community Fund is available to agencies directly providing services to individuals and families in need.
Those services include providing food assistance and helping community members stay in their homes by providing help paying rent and utilities.
That is among the guidelines for eligibility. Additionally, applicants for grants from the United Way’s “COVID-19 Community Fund” must also be an educational institution, government agency, a 501(c)3 or sponsored by a 501(c)3, provide services within Clark, Champaign and Madison Counties that address food security or housing/shelter, have paid or volunteer staff and a governing board that regularly holds meetings.
Applicants, who may request up to $10,000, also must provide services without discrimination on the bases of race, sex, creed, age or national origin.
“It is not just financial resources that are needed at this time, but our communities are continuing to need volunteers,” Pedraza said. “With increased financial needs and the direction for vulnerable populations to refrain from being out in the public, a significant void has been left. For those in our community that are able and willing to give of their time, volunteer opportunities for all three counties are listed at https://www.uwccmc.org/volunteer.”
The local United Way says every dollar will be kept local, and it is accepting donations on the agency’s website at www.uwccmc.org or via checks sent to Clark Champaign Madison COVID-19 Community Fund, c/o United Way, at P.O. Box 59, Springfield, OH 45501-0059.
“If desired, you may designate the county to whom you wish to designate your gift,” Pedraza said. “All donations are tax-deductible. All funds received by the Fund will be distributed to the counties without any allocation for administrative overhead.”
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Dela Selsor Trust, Silfex, Nationwide Insurance, Assurant, Truist Foundation, Orbis/Menasha, Security National Bank, Krazy Glue and Delta Armory are among the donors to the fund, which began with a goal of $100,000.
That was reached in about eight weeks, and the fund has continued to grow.
Typically the UWCCMC raises $1.2 to 1.3 million annually.
“Being able to raise a 10th of that in such a sort of time is really pretty great, especially given the circumstances that we’re in,” she said.
After the initial grants are awarded, beneficiaries that received the maximum of $10,000 will be able to apply again via phase two.
Pedraza said the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Salvation Army, the Interfaith Hospitality Network and the Springfield District Council of St. Vincent de Paul are among organizations that get support from the UWCCC.
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