United Way and Lancaster County Community Foundation are proud to announce to announce another $40,500 in investment to six local community benefit organizations to meet the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in Lancaster County.
Thanks to the support of more than 700 donors to the Lancaster Cares COVID-19 Response Fund, nearly $990,000 has been raised for Lancaster County residents. Because of the individuals helping to lift up the Lancaster Cares fund, the Community Foundation and United Way of Lancaster County are able to provide aid to vital local programs meeting the need of our friends, neighbors, and families, including populations that are disproportionately affected by this crisis.
In the past week, you helped support a program that works with individuals to prevent evictions across the County, a program that provides food boxes to its elderly and in need congregants, as well as, efforts to support mental health through financial relevance, and equipment to help workers safely return to shared spaces.
We are proud to be able to help support these organizations thanks to the extraordinary contributions across Lancaster County.
This week's grantees are:
Patients R Waiting, Inc: Feeding the Community - $7,000
Faith Tabernacle Transformation & Development (FTTD) Corporation has stepped up to meet the needs of the South East Lancaster community by increasing distribution of food boxes to its elderly and in need congregants. Through this grant FTTD will further increase food distribution within the South East Lancaster community and bolster it’s hot meal program, serving 3 hot healthy meals weekly through the summer.
HDC MidAtlantic: Eviction Prevention Program - $10,000
Due to COVID-19, 30-40% of HDC’s family communities will not be able to pay rent. The implications of housing stability for our residents could be catastrophic. In response, HDC will link households to our Resident Services staff for supports that reflect best practices for eviction prevention, such as creating a payment plan, counseling on monthly budgeting, and helping navigate social services or stimulus benefits. This grant will assure these services remain available in Lancaster County.
Mental Health America of Lancaster: Basic Needs Resource Collection for Individuals with Mental Health Diagnoses - $5,000
Those with mental health challenges struggle to afford food, medication, basic hygiene supplies, and transportation. Prepaid cell phones will be temporarily distributed to allow clients to connect to staff. We will distribute hygiene kits to those in the community and to those released from incarceration. With prescription medication often making the difference between life in the community and life in a facility for those with severe mental illness, we will help pay for life-saving medication.
Lancaster Emergency Medical Services Association: Provide Personal Protective Equipment to Our Essential First Responders from Lancaster EMS - $6,000
As a result of COVID-19, Lancaster EMS has an emergent need to protect our essential frontline EMS First Responders during 9-1-1 COVID related calls. As the largest ambulance service agency, with 150 clinical operational staff & highest call volume, we have an immediate need- P100 masks. We are requesting P100 respirator masks for our operational staff along with a supply of replacement filters. With 150 operational staff needing protection against COVID-19, the P100 provides 99.8%. protection.
Arch Street Center: Back to Work Safety and Food Safety - $2,500
Due to COVID-19, Arch Street Center was forced to close our doors and suspend our normal services. We have continued to provide a daily take-away meal to people in our community experiencing food insecurity. As we look toward reopening, we will face many challenges in keeping our staff, volunteers and members safe. We are working to establish safety measures and are asking for grant dollars to purchase structural safety equipment, masks, and supplies to ensure and maintain a healthy environment.
Lancaster Osteopathic Health Foundation: Mental Health Copay Assistance Fund - $10,000
We offer Mental Health Copay Assistance to youth, children, and parents of dependent children (ages 0-25) who live in Lancaster County and have financial need. This reduces the copay to just $10 per visit with a licensed behavioral healthcare provider, including telehealth visits. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve received requests to support all adults. We will use these funds to support adults without children so that everyone with financial need qualifies.
