York, PA — The York County COVID-19 Response Fund, launched jointly by the York County Community Foundation (YCCF) and United Way of York County, has awarded a second round of grant funding to keep families fed and in their homes as they experience hardship due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. To date, the fund has raised over $1,031,000 and awarded $296,490 in grants.
To help people manage these financial challenges, a combined $34,490 was awarded in this latest round to the following organizations providing food throughout York County:
- Community REACH, Inc.
- The Salvation Army of York
- York Benevolent Association
- York County Food Bank
The Salvation Army of York also received a $20,000 grant to provide crisis budgeting and rental assistance to help keep families in their homes. They join Community Progress Council and New Hope Ministries in a collaborative approach to provide this vital service.
“Our nonprofits in York County have stepped up to fill the needs of families and individuals experiencing the full economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jane M. Conover, MSW, President & CEO of the York County Community Foundation. “We continue to work closely with nonprofit advisory committees to monitor community needs and adapt the grant program.”
“The economic impact of COVID-19 will be long felt, and we’re committed to working with our nonprofit partners meeting these increased, immediate and long-range needs in food and housing,” said Anne Druck, President of United Way of York County. “We’re grateful to the community for their generosity and for the nonprofits on the front lines that are caring for our neighbors in need.”
The COVID-19 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,the Donley Foundation, PECO, Wells Fargo, the Wolf Inaugural Fund and Carol D. Wagman. Recognizing that community needs are growing and changing, this Fund will welcome additional contributions. 100% of the proceeds will to directly towards grants to nonprofit organizations.
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.
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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.
