United Way of Bartholomew County is launching a COVID-19 relief fund to help struggling local residents affected by trimmed work hours, temporary closings of their workplaces and other challenges posed by drastic changes around the health threat.
United Way President Mark Stewart said assistance would be designed to include and cover four essential needs: housing, food, clothing and child care, especially with schools forced into students e-learning from home.
He added that he hopes organizers can raise a minimum of about $20,000 initially in just the first three weeks of donations, and more later. He said those in hourly-wage positions in retail and in the service sector may be the hardest hit by closings or cutbacks.
Stewart also said that about one in four residents in Bartholomew County work full time but struggle to make ends meet on a monthly basis.
“A reduction in their work hours or unexpected additional expenses can quickly lead to a downward economic spiral,” Stewart said.
He also mentioned that plans to help will have to remain flexible.
“Things are changing literally by the hour,” Stewart said of developments and orders from Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and other leaders. “A week from now, we’ll obviously know a whole lot more. And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we eventually would be revising that (fundraising) goal.
“But we believe it’s very important for us to act quickly and get out in front of all this as quickly as possible from a preventive standpoint.
“Of course, our preferred method of planning is usually an approach of ready, aim, fire. And we realize that this one is a little bit of ready, fire, aim. But, under these circumstances, we believe our fast action is merited.”
Stewart said with needs such as utilities and housing help, United Way would work alongside both member and non-member agencies to assist needy residents. For example, United Way has a long track record of working with non-member agency Love Chapel Ministries, which helps residents with everything from groceries to rent.
Kelly Daugherty, Love Chapel’s executive director, said Tuesday he is ready and willing to partner with other agencies in any way necessary.
“We recently have been pretty slow in the financial assistance office (regarding needs),” Daugherty said. “But we know that the need is coming.”
And part of the reason for that is something that local social service leaders have long said: Many people don’t earn enough for a healthy savings account for emergencies.
“So many people live right on the margin (of making ends meet),” Stewart said.
He added that donations from the COVID-19 fund will be allocated directly to certified United Way agencies who are addressing the most critical needs. He also said that, as donations come in, they can be distributed to local nonprofits as quickly as a matter days.
United Way leaders plan to work with city, county, state and agency leaders to identify resource and service gaps for long-term recovery.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”How to donate to the COVID-19 fund” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Donations can be made at the United Way of Bartholomew County website at uwbarthco.org and clicking on the relief fund link.
Information: 812-376-3001.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
