During these unprecedented times, the United Way of Genesee County (UWGC) has secured numerous grants and donations, which are being utilized throughout the county for COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.
The UWGC matched a crisis grant from National Grid and awarded mini grants to nine agencies in Genesee County who are supplying resources and services to the community.
Additionally, event sponsors for the cancelled 2020 Day of Caring requested their monies be used where needed the most and not be returned. These funds have been added to the donations received from individuals and small businesses and more grant awards will be made.
This week the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo awarded from the Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund to the United Way of Genesee County $25,000 to distribute to entities who are supplying the community with resources and critical services.
The Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund was created by the philanthropic community to support nonprofits addressing immediate needs in response to the COVID-19 crisis in the eight counties of Western New York. Recognizing that a lot of the burden of the response is falling on community-based and grassroots organizations, the Fund created a microgrant program to rapidly deploy resources to small urban and rural organizations that provide hands-on assistance to community members. Intermediary organizations in each county that are recognized as trusted voices and partners identified the microgrant recipients for awards that typically range from $500 - $2,500.
The following non-profits will receive funding from this gracious gift:
- The Salvation Army of Batavia
- City Church Community Food Pantry
- N. Bergen Presbyterian Church Community Food Pantry
- Pavilion United Methodist Church Community Food Pantry
- Project Stork Baby Pantry
- Care-A-Van Ministries
- LeRoy Community Kitchen
- Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern
- GLOW YMCA
- YWCA of Genesee County
- ABCD: Agri-Business Center
- Community Action of Genesee and Orleans
- CASA for Children
The newest funding received is an award of $1000 from the Kiwanis Club of Batavia to purchase food for the UWGC’s weekend food program, the Backpack Program.
The United Way of Genesee County is overwhelmed with gratitude for each and every gracious donor who has stepped up and said ‘I want to help’. Accompanying the gratitude for donors is the abundance of gratitude for each volunteer who has worked food distributions, picked up donations, ran food drives and so much more. Together we do make Genesee County stronger.