Fund aims to quickly aid people in need

As the coronavirus crisis unfolds daily, Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula charities and nonprofits are responding with food, cash and other aid for people suddenly in need.

Layoffs and cutbacks in working hours have hit restaurant and retail workers particularly hard since an emergency order closed in-restaurant seating areas last week.

The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation announced on March 19 that it is forming an emergency relief fund to provide “rapid-response grants” to food banks and other nonprofits that directly serve people in need.

In a few days, the foundation has raised $10,000, said Julie Gustanski, the foundation’s chief executive officer, and is hoping for more.

“We will be working with our community partners to get these funds where the need is greatest, and in relatively quick order,” she said.

Partner agencies include food banks on both the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsulas, the Children’s Home Society, Food Backpacks 4 Kids, and other, she said. Donations have come from Peninsula Light, Puget Sound Energy and other businesses and foundations.

One goal of the fund, Gustanski said, is to help pay rent, utility bills and other immediate needs for working people who have been laid off.

“We are trying to get relief quickly to those people who been disproportionately affected,” she said. “There have been a lot of layoffs, reduced hours, and suddenly people can’t pay the rent.”

Meanwhile, other groups and businesses are pitching in:

▪ Peninsula Light has announced that it would halt electricity disconnections for nonpayment for at least a month, and could waive some late fees. (See story Page A-)

▪ The Gig Harbor YMCA and Peninsula School District are partnering to providing free child care to children of health-care providers. The YMCA says it will serve 600 children at 17 locations in Pierce County.

▪ Peninsula School District is providing free lunches to all students under 18, Monday-Friday between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Artondale Elementary, Evergreen Elementary; Purdy Elementary; Key Peninsula Middle School; and Gig Harbor High School.

▪ Foodbacks 4 Kids is providing food packets for school-aged children each Saturday at noon at Henderson Bay High School, Gateway Park and Evergreen Elementary School in Lakebay.

The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation will not take applications directly, Gustanski said, but will rely on its partner agencies, such as food banks, to identify people who may need cash help. The foundation will then write checks directly to those individuals.

“The goal is to act very quickly to meet the economic impact, first and foremost with food, but also with monetary support when needed.”

As an example, she said, food banks often need quick infusions of cash to buy food in bulk that can be easily deployed.

“As this crisis goes on, the need is only going to increase, so we are working day and night to gather together as many resources as possible.

“We know this is a community that always come together,” she said.

▪ For general questions and inquiries about the GGHF emergency relief fund:, email covid19@gigharborfoundation.org Interested donors and partners may email Ariel Gustanski, agustanski@gigharborfountaion.org

▪ For information on YMCA child care for health workers, call 253-530-1038 or email burlesond@psd401.net

This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 10:34 AM.