The United Way of Delta County and the Community Foundation for Delta County have each granted $5,000 to OSF Health Care Foundation to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to health care workers as part of COVID-19 relief efforts. The grants are part of both organizations’ commitment to address community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. While each organization has its own funds and has been providing aid separately, they are communicating frequently and collaborating to meet a wide variety of needs.
The United Way of Delta County established a special COVID-19 Relief fund last month to support nonprofits, schools and other eligible organizations working to serve t, Communhe needs of people in Delta County. In addition to an initial $10,000 the United Way took from its reserves, the fund has raised more than $14,000 in donations from businesses and individuals.
A team of United Way board members is meeting weekly via Zoom to review funding requests and issue grants quickly. To date, the United Way has awarded nearly $12,000 for projects including the PPE for OSF as well as:
- Technology grants to Delta-Schoolcraft ISD and Big Bay de Noc School for equipment to help students access the internet for online educational and health care needs
- Bay Cliff Health Camp’s development of a virtual experience for campers to replace this summer’s canceled therapy camp session
- Educational/Activity packets being distributed by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area to children in 50 Delta County families served by the organization
- Purchase of laundry detergent and personal care/hygiene products for families receiving food boxes through Gladstone Schools’ Emergency Food Fund
- Purchase of linens and health care supplies to maintain a safe and healthy environment for the residents of Catholic Social Services’ Alpha Omega recovery house in Escanaba
Donations to the United Way’s COVID-19 Relief Fund can be made online at www.uwdelta.org or mailed to 1100 Ludington St., Suite 300, Escanaba, MI 49829. Organizations may apply for a COVID-19 Relief grant at www.uwdelta.org/covid-19-grant.
The Community Foundation for Delta County said they are pleased to be able to help the OSF Foundation during this COVID-19 pandemic. Their board also has:
- Granted more than $12,000 to all Delta County schools, including Holy Name and the Learning Center, for their Feed The Kids Backpack Program, with additional support to assist the needs of any child that is hungry during this COVID-19 pandemic
- Helped St. Vincent de Paul in Escanaba & Gladstone and the Salvation Army with funds to stock their food shelves and aid in general support
- Provided extra funds to Pregnancy Services to help purchase supplies
- Collaborated with Enbridge Energy Partners to facilitate a Feeding America food distribution, with more to come in the near future.
- Sponsored the Chamber’s “Buy Now, Shop Local Later” program to support the business community. For every $25 gift certificate purchased now to spend later, buyers will receive an additional $5. Contact the Chamber at 786-2192 to purchase the gift certificates.
- Used other funds (not the Human Needs Fund) to help Delta Animal Shelter purchase food for their animals.
Donations to the Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Human Needs Fund or Feed The Kids Backpack Program can be mailed to 2420 1st Avenue South, Escanaba, MI 49829. Credit card donations can be made by calling the Community Foundation at 786-6654.
United Way executive director Julie Mallard and Community Foundation executive director Cheryl Andzejewski have embraced the opportunity for their two organizations to work together.
“Cheryl and I have been in touch frequently since the beginning of school closures last month,” Mallard said. “It’s been a wonderful opportunity for each of our organizations to work to our strengths while not duplicating efforts.”
Andzejewski agreed. “By keeping each other informed of community needs we’re seeing, we’re able to coordinate our approach to see that as many needs as possible are met.”
For the most up-to-date information on United Way activities and COVID-19 relief, visit the United Way of Delta County’s Facebook page or its website, www.uwdelta.org.
Information on the Community Foundation for Delta County also can be found on its Facebook page or its website, www.givedeltacounty.org.
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