Last month, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) created a COVID-19 Crisis Fund to support local programs and agencies directly assisting those in our region affected by the pandemic. Immediately, foundations, businesses, and individuals began to donate.
Thanks to a recent gift from the Northland Foundation, UWNEMN hopes that support is about to grow; the Northland Foundation will match donations to UWNEMN’s COVID-19 Crisis Fund up to $25,000.
“We are incredibly touched by the way this region steps up to take care of its own,” said UWNEMN Executive Director Shelley Valentini. “So many have already shown support, and we hope that Northland Foundation’s matching funds will encourage even more to do the same.”
While healthcare concerns loom for the region, community resources are already seeing an uptick in other needs. Food shelves have been in high demand, and calls for help are already pouring into United Way Minnesota’s 211 call center.
In response, UWNEMN has set up a COVID-19 resource page with information related to childcare, food, healthcare, and more. In addition, UWNEMN staff is working hard to ensure the organization’s programs that directly serve individuals continue to run smoothly – staff members are packing Buddy Backpacks so all children enrolled continue to receive the meal kits they need, answering crisis calls from local veterans in need, and packing Comforts of Home items for pickup by families experiencing displacement from emergencies like house fires.
“Although social distancing separates us physically, we remain connected to our communities and each other, united,” Valentini said.
Financial resources will be needed in the region as well. UWNEMN’s COVID-19 Crisis Fund is a special fund that will have no administrative costs associated with it, so 100% of donations made to the fund will go directly to local programs and agencies working to assist people in our communities.
“This pandemic is a new challenge for us, but the community spirit required in response is not,” Valentini noted. “For more than 60 years, UWNEMN has united our communities to face crises head-on to empower healthy lives, help children succeed, and stabilize the lives of families and individuals in our region.”
Prior to the Northland Foundation’s commitment to match funds, individuals had donated more than $1,000 to the fund, and the Virginia Community Foundation donated $7,500 designated to assist individuals living in Virginia. Other community foundations, businesses, and organizations have also expressed interest in supporting the crisis fund.
To donate to the UWNEMN COVID-19 Crisis Fund, click here. Donations can also be mailed directly to 608 East Drive, Chisholm, MN 55719.