COVID-19 Response Fund Distributes Final Round of Grants

COVID-19 Response Fund Distributes Final Round of Grants

9/9/2020
Hendersonville, N.C., September 9, 2020 – The Henderson County COVID-19 Response Fund was formed in March through a joint effort between United Way of Henderson County (UWHC) and Community Foundation of Henderson County (CFHC) to meet increased needs for essential safety-net services caused by the coronavirus health crisis. On Thursday, September 3, the Response Fund’s ninth and final round of grants were awarded totaling $57,466.
 
The following organizations received a grant in the final round:
• $5,000 to Children and Family Resource Center for diapers, wipes, and formula.
• $5,000 to Crossnore School & Children’s Home to support their therapy program and counseling services for children and adolescents affected by COVID-19.
• $7,500 to El Centro (Latino Advocacy Center) for a tutor who will assist students and families with virtual learning.
• $5,000 to First Contact Ministries for transportation to and from medical and testing clinics, and support for meetings, and detox and rehab facilities.
• $5,000 to Hendersonville Spanish SDA Church for food boxes, and rent and utility assistance.
• $12,466 to Interfaith Assistance Ministry (IAM) for food and rent assistance.
• $5,000 to Only Hope WNC for community food distribution.
• $5,000 to Open Arms Crisis Pregnancy Center for diapers, wipes, and formula.
• $2,500 to Pisgah Legal Services for rent assistance and a temporary screener.
• $5,000 to Smart Start Partnership for Children to support families with Kindergarten age children in childcare centers.

"Many in our community are unable to access resources, and grants from the Response Fund enabled us to help lessen their burdens,” said Pastor Rubi Pimentel of Hendersonville Spanish SDA Church. “The grants helped provide economic, social, and emotional support to those affected. Without the grants, that support would not have been possible.”

The Response Fund received significant contributions from many local charitable champions. Over the past six months the Fund has approved awards totaling $439,236 to 41 nonprofits for food, rent, utility, and childcare assistance, sanitation supplies, protective equipment, medical services, senior care, mental health support, legal services, and more. These grant awards are over and above the usual grantmaking and allocations conducted at both UWHC and CFHC.

“The COVID-19 Response Fund allowed nonprofits to serve Henderson County at a time when their normal operational budgets would not have sustained such an influx of clients,” says CFHC President/CEO McCray Benson. “Both of our organizations are now looking at moving to the next phase in our overall community work and feel now is the best time to wind down the Response Fund, but we will continue to evaluate how COVID-19 disruptions and conditions affect our community and how our services will work to address developing situations.”

“United Way is proud that we have been able to support our community with critically needed services these past six months. In a time of great anxiety and uncertainty, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people who have stepped up to help their neighbors,” added UWHC Executive Director Denise Long. “Like CFHC, United Way will continue to stay in touch with the constantly changing needs in our community. We are committed to helping Henderson County recover, rebuild, and strengthen resilience.”

United Way and Community Foundation sincerely thank the members of the COVID-19 Review Committee and the surrounding community. Giving of one’s time, talents, and treasures when the world seems upside down is hard and the commitment is deeply appreciated.

To learn more about ongoing relief efforts or to make a donation, please contact United Way of Henderson County’s Executive Director, Denise Long at dlong@liveunitedhc.org or Community Foundation of Henderson County’s President/CEO, McCray Benson at mvbenson@cfhcforever.org.

About United Way of Henderson County United Way is advancing the common good by creating opportunities for a better life in Henderson County. If you would like more information or would like to make a donation, contact United Way of Henderson County at PO Box 487, Hendersonville, NC 28793, 828-692-1636, or visit online at liveunitedhc.org. You can also find UWHC on Facebook and Instagram.

About Community Foundation of Henderson County Founded in 1982, Community Foundation of Henderson County’s mission is helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter. CFHC accepts gifts from individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create a permanent pool of charitable capital from which grants are awarded. Learn more about Community Foundation of Henderson County at cfhcforever.org, and by calling (828) 697-6224.
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