York, PA — In just a few weeks, gifts to the York County COVID-19 Response Fund have already surpassed $845,000 for nonprofit organizations that are providing assistance to our neighbors facing hardships due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Launched jointly by the York County Community Foundation (YCCF) and United Way of York County, the fund has awarded its first grants in the amount of $186,095 to eight organizations of various sizes that are providing food to people throughout York County, from Red Lion to Hanover and Delta to York.
- Catholic Harvest Food Pantry
- Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
- Community REACH, Inc.
- Mason Dixon Community Services
- New Hope Ministries
- Northeast Neighborhood Association
- YMCA of York and York County Southern Community Services
- York County Food Bank
Grant recipients were identified by the teams at YCCF and United Way of York County, and advisory committees of nonprofits who have ramped up their operations to meet the increased demand for food in response to the economic impacts of the pandemic. By learning directly about the challenges and how best to fill gaps in public funding, the grants are targeted to most effectively help the greatest number of people in York County.
With 1 in 5 Pennsylvanian workers registering for unemployment[1], local charitable food sources have seen a 300% increase in need for their services[2]. Nonprofit organizations have quickly mobilized to meet this need, developing innovative solutions to provide contactless service and offering a bright spot of hope for many of the families they serve. These grants will enable them to continue supporting our friends and neighbors most in need.
“This pandemic has touched every corner of our community. People from all walks of life are facing financial struggles they never imagined,” said Jane M. Conover, MSW, President & CEO of YCCF. “It’s heartbreaking to see long lines of cars waiting for food at the York County Food Bank and to hear of people who never asked for help before, offering a few dollars in exchange for their box of food. I’m truly grateful for the generosity of our community, and for all of those stepping up in whatever way they can to help others.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic is a new challenge for all of us, but the human desire to help one another is not,” said Anne Druck, President of United Way of York County. “These are turbulent times for essential workers who continue to support our community and the many individuals who have no safety net in times of crisis. The health and human services helpline 211, managed in our region by one of United Way’s Partner Agencies, has seen a 40% increase in calls requesting help with food, and these additional resources are critical to support the many families and individuals who are struggling.”
In the next round of grants, the York County COVID-19 Response Fund will focus on helping families remain in their homes through eviction prevention. No grant applications are being accepted. For more information about the grant program, go to www.yccf.org
The COVID Response Fund was seeded by a $100,000 lead gift from YCCF’s Fund for York County, the foundation’s most flexible fund designed to address the county’s greatest needs. Additional major contributions have come from the W. Dale Brougher Foundation, Arthur J. & Lee R. Glatfelter Foundation, Powder Mill Foundation, J William Warehime Foundation, Kinsley Foundation, Memorial Health Fund, Women’s Giving Circle, Harley-Davidson Foundation, and Carol D. Wagman.
There are many ways to support our community in this time of need. In addition to considering a gift to the York County COVID-19 Response Fund, residents are encouraged to continue to support the charities they care about who are struggling with diminished revenue.
Although many nonprofit organizations have paused their volunteer opportunities due to recommendations on social distancing, you can still help support urgent community needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are healthy and able, please visit United Way’s COVID-19 Resource page at https://www.unitedway-york.org/covid-19, which is updated regularly with volunteer opportunities as we receive them. Know of a volunteer opportunity that should be added? Reach out to Volunteer Engagement Coordinator Bryce Kruger at krugerb@unitedway-york.org.
The health and human services helpline 211 is also a powerful resource to be shared with individuals who may need additional resources for childcare, food, housing and other needs in this challenging time. Anyone can dial 211 or text your zip code to #898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free.
For more information about the fund, please visit https://yccf.org/covid-19responsefund/.
To contribute to the York County COVID-19 Response Fund please visit www.yccf.org or www.unitedway-york.org.
During Give Local York on May 1, your donation to the York County COVID-19 Response Fund will generously be matched dollar for dollar by York Traditions Bank, up to $7,500. Check out our Give Local page at https://www.givelocalyork.org/organizations/united-way-of-york-county.
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About York County Community Foundation
York County Community Foundation creates a vibrant York County by engaging donors, providing community leadership, and investing in high-impact initiatives while building endowment for future generations. York County Community Foundation holds more than 575 endowed funds and assists donors and nonprofits in reaching their charitable goals. The Community Foundation granted $6.7 million in 2019 throughout York County and beyond, and stewards approximately $165 million in assets.
About United Way of York County
For over 99 years, United Way of York County has worked in the York County community to improve people’s lives. It began as The York Welfare Federation, an organization that raised funds on behalf of 17 member agencies. Today, as the United Way of York County, the mission of raising community funds remains the same, but the strategies have broadened in order to meet the growing and changing needs of people living in York County.
United Way has adapted over the years and now collaborates with other public and private organizations to engage the community in addressing the complex issues facing York County. By developing initiatives that get at the root causes of these issues, United Way and its partners find solutions and fund programs that improve the lives of one in four people in York County. Through gifts to the Community Fund, United Way is able to invest those dollars into 66 programs supported by 35 Partner Agencies. These programs address human services needs across three Focus Areas: Education, Health, and Financial Stability. This enables United Way to tackle the immediate and continuing needs of York County families and individuals and to create real, lasting change that matters to you and our community.
[1] U.S. Department of Labor
[2] Central Pennsylvania Food Bank York County Statistics
