The Lancaster County Community Foundation and the United Way of Lancaster County are partnering to provide support for local families during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Lancaster Cares COVID-19 Response Fund.
Their goal is to raise a million dollars to pour back into the community, through food and housing assistance and addressing emerging issues. So far, they have raised over $850,000 in donations from 561 donors.
Money from the fund will go directly to trusted nonprofits, ensuring the money reaches our community as quick as possible.
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank will be receiving grants from the fund, due to their existing partnerships throughout the county. The organization is partnering with 38 agencies and collaborating with Hunger Free Lancaster County to make sure everyone has access to food during these hard times.
“Keeping people in their homes is of utmost importance,” the fund’s website says. In addition to the measures taken by various government agencies, Lanc Co MyHome is providing assistance to families facing eviction or foreclosure as well as the homeless population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they have off-site quarantine locations for people in shelters who become symptomatic and await COVID-19 testing.
Both the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Lanc Co My Home received an $80,000 grant this week to further their efforts in Lancaster County.
The third prong of the initiative involves emerging community needs. Local nonprofits can apply for these “rapid response dollars” in order to provide resources and support for residents affected by the pandemic. Lancaster Cares says the application will be open on a rolling basis for the foreseeable future.
Although individuals can’t apply for grants from this fund, they can visit 2-1-1 to get help finding local resources or access the Tabor Community Services/Lancaster Housing and Opportunity Partnership Resource Guide, which is an informational guide for navigating issues like utility assistance, student loan relief, mental health, tenant’s rights, and more.
If you would like to contribute to the Lancaster Cares fund, click here. Every cent of each donation goes directly to local organizations. Donations are tax deductible. If you are not in a place to donate, support the Lancaster Cares fund by spreading the word on social media or volunteering with one of the nonprofits that the fund supports.
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