The first set of funds for regional not-for-profits struggling through COVID-19 has officially taken place via the United Way of Northern BC (UWNBC).
The COVID-19 Relief Fund is helping 25 agencies and charities in the north, five based in Prince George, with $128,000 set to provide care and aid for the most vulnerable residents during the pandemic.
Organizations include:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern BC
- Carney Hill Neighbourhood Centre Society
- Northern Brain Injury Association
- Prince George Brain Injured Group
- Prince George Native Friendship Centre
While the exact amounts are not known, the money is set to allocate for food supplies and meals, transportation and delivery costs, personal care and hygiene items, and program supports that can still run during the outbreak while ensuring physical-distancing measures.
“We are so honoured and grateful to be able to serve the agencies and communities of Northern BC through the amazing generosity of so many donors,” says UWNBC Executive Director Trisha Spencer, adding the response has been remarkable for her team.
“Our team continues to work to connect resources with the needs across our region, but we truly need to take a moment to celebrate how people and organizations have come together to support each other at this precarious time. Thank you!”
The organization says, however, it recognizes the need to help more agencies, explaining the requests for money it received exceeded almost eight times the amount it has to work with.
UWNBC is turning to the public for donations once again to fundraise and bring more support in so it can serve more not-for-profits needing an extra hand.
“This means that it is not only more critical for gaps in basic needs to be identified to select the services being approved, but far more difficult to determine where to place the funding,” a release reads.
“This vast imbalance in need/funding available means either a significant reduction in what we can provide an agency from what they requested or having to make the further heartbreaking decision to not fund an organization that still truly needs help.”
For more information on the UWNBC COVID-19 Relief Fund and how you can give to the cause, you can visit its website.
