Pierce County partnership amasses $5.1M to help those in need during the COVID-19 crisis
Local nonprofits joined together to create a Pierce County fund of more that $5.1 million for needs in the community during the coronavirus pandemic.
United Way of Pierce County and Greater Tacoma Community Foundation partnered to help the homeless, those with food insecurity, those experiencing domestic violence, communities of color, those with behavioral health needs or disabilities, and senior citizens.
Megan Sukys, vice president for the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, said the two nonprofits created the fund when they realized the coronavirus was going to be big after the schools closed.
Pierce County Connected began with $750,000 from the two founding organizations. The nonprofits contacted local philanthropists and business, and the amount quickly grew.
Funding goes to community-based entities directly supporting local residents and families who are most affected by emerging health, economic, and social impacts. Funds will not be distributed to individuals. in the community.
While federal, state and local governments have passed emergency legislation to help alleviate the financial impacts of the coronavirus, Sukys said Pierce County Connected provides rapid response funding while those without incomes, shelter or food wait for government help to arrive.
“Locally, people are waiting for those funds to come in. There is a lot of need. A lot of these organizations are getting nothing for right now. It’s looking at the gaps and the urgent needs in the community,” Sukys said.
Nearly 150 local and regional foundations, businesses and individuals have donated a combined $5.1 million, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Elevate Health & OnePierce Community Resiliency Fund, and Umpqua Bank.
For the past two weeks, a committee has decided which applications to approve and for how much. Providing funds for shelter and food are the first priority, Sukys said.
The committee has handed out $1.2 million to the City of Puyallup for a temporary tent encampment, MultiCare to support health care providers, The Islamic Center of Tacoma to supply food, housing and shelter, and the local branch of the YWCA for housing and shelter.
Food banks and homeless shelters across the county also have received funding to help with basic necessities, according to the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation.
Organizations, local governments and service providers in Pierce County can apply for funding that would help alleviate urgent community needs related to COVID-19 disruptions. There is an online funding application at the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation website.
Donors can give a the Pierce County Connected website.
This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 1:06 PM.
