United Way of Northern BC introduces COVID-19 relief fund

The United Way of Northern BC (UWNBC) has announced it's creating a COVID-19 relief fund to help the most vulnerable in communities. 

In a release, UWNBC says initial discussions took place with numerous social service agencies across the region where multiple needs have been identified, especially those most vulnerable. 

"While our regular mission is to be there for the communities we serve, this global crisis has sparked us to do whatever we can in this incredibly challenging time,' UWNBC Executive Director Trista Spencer says in a release. 

"As we are driven to help, we know that others are looking to do the same. Our human need to connect and help is strong, but it’s particularly difficult now because of the true need to distance ourselves from others."

To enable resources to get to agencies and citizens that need it most, a COVID-19 relief fund has been created.

“We are reaching out to community partners across Northern BC to collect information on emerging needs and to share information, and resources so we can come together to do whatever we can to help," Spencer adds. 

"Agencies and their clients, the most vulnerable in our communities, need us more right now than ever. We are hoping the COVID-19 Relief Fund we have enabled will give people the opportunity to help in this crisis, getting direct assistance out as rapidly as possible to the people of Northern BC.”

Community partners and UWNBC have identified the following areas of need: 

• Seniors Isolation – This is a long running issue, particularly for our rural and remote region. Unfortunately, the current situation as amplified this exponentially and these seniors don’t just have lack of socialization, they need food, prescriptions and personal care items to sustain a healthy way of being
• Food Security - people need food and we are getting reports of food banks closing or having no food or funding to help. Many programs across the north that need to close due to social distancing, are also the opportunities that people have to get necessary food and care items. This is being reported across the region
• Mental Health and Addictions - not only is there more stress on the entire population at this time, our population that deals with mental health and additions issues has become particularly vulnerable, especially with their supportive programs needing to close their doors
• Volunteer Support – while there are some volunteers moving into isolation, there are others who want to help out. We are hearing that critical programs are at risk because their volunteer support has dropped or completely gone away. We are looking for the opportunities to deploy volunteers where they are needed

"Even in these uncertain times, no one is powerless to make a difference," the release concludes. 

"Small acts, taken together in our community, and across the region, can change the course of the pandemic, bolster those facing economic challenges, and protect the most vulnerable. UWNBC truly hopes that the development of the COVID-19 Relief Fund will help in these efforts."

For more information on the programs and agencies the UWNBC support, you can visit its website, call 250-561-1040 or send an email.