A new emergency relief fund is launching with more than $250,000 to support critical human service needs in Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties.
United Way of Monroe County along with 30 other organizations are working on the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.
They’re looking for donations from other individuals and organizations offering up to $25,000 in matching grants from the Bloomington Health Foundation.
In a statement issued Tuesday, President and CEO of Bloomington Health Foundation Jonathan Barada says it’s important to stand with local health and social service partners during the pandemic.
“This initial investment will help our partners address urgent needs. Moving forward, we are committed to listening to our partners as we seek to understand our community’s developing needs and where help is needed in the days and weeks ahead,” Barada says.
Grants will be distributed to organizations based on the needs resulting from the coronavirus crises.
United Way of Monroe County Executive Director Efrat Feferman says 1 of 3 households here teeter above the edge of poverty with 1 in 5 living in full-blown poverty.
“This means that nearly half of our population cannot easily weather prolonged economic turmoil. Many already turn to our social services and nonprofits for supports which allow them to remain economically stable,” Feferman says.
She says community members needing help should search HelpingBloomingtonMonroe.org or call 2-1-1 to connect with needed resources.
