Separate from its COVID-19 Action Fund, United Way supports local nonprofits
(BLACKHAWK REGION) – Separate from United Way Blackhawk Region’s COVID-19 Action Fund, United Way annually makes emergency grant funding available to its funded partners in the event of a disaster, catastrophe, or crisis.
At its meeting on April 2, 2020, United Way’s volunteer-driven Community Impact Council unanimously approved three emergency grants totaling $13,201.15. These emergency requests pertain directly to hardships nonprofits are experiencing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Essentially, food pantries are not able to get what they need from their primary supplier. Instead, the agencies have to purchase, primarily proteins, from grocery stores. This is an unusual expense during a time when demand is significantly increased.
United Way Blackhawk Region’s emergency grants were awarded to:
- ECHO for $10,001.15
- Edgerton Community Outreach for $2,000
- YWCA Rock County – Alternatives to Violence Shelter for $1,200
“United Way is proud to be able to lend support to our partners, who are providing essential services to our community’s most vulnerable families,” said United Way Blackhawk Region President and CEO Mary Fanning-Penny. “We would not be able to make these resources available without the generosity of our community or our board of directors’ prudence to budget for emergencies on an annual basis.”
United Way’s emergency grants will help, but will not fully alleviate the hardships food pantries and nonprofits are experiencing. Community members are urged to continue providing vital support in the form of financial donations to local agencies.
Anyone interested in making a gift of any size to United Way’s COVID-19 Action Fund, please visit LiveUnitedBR.org/COVID-19 or text “GiveCovid” to 41444. Checks made payable to United Way Blackhawk’s Region Action Fund may also be mailed to PO Box 2780, Janesville, WI 53547-2780.
Individuals in need of assistance are encouraged to call United Way’s 211, a 24/7 information and referral helpline. Please be advised, wait time may be longer than usual due to high call demand but specialists will help as soon as available.
