The United way is disbursing $390,000 in federal funding to a list of local charities.
The money is coming through the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) which gives financial support to charities and other qualified organizations.
A media release from the United Way of Bruce Grey says the money is to be used to adapt their frontline services to continue to serve their communities during the pandemic.
Locally, the United Way received $446,378 in grant requests, and says it was able to fund $390,000 of that request.
Local United Way Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn says in a statement announcing the allocation of funding, “Our local charities have been responding to the pandemic to the best of their ability stretching beyond their standard capacity as they rise to the challenge of meeting local needs. We are thrilled to be able to further support them and enhance their capacity with these additional dollars.”
The Emergency Community Support Fund was announced by the Federal Government in May as a $350 million fund. It is administered in collaboration with United Way Centraide Canada, Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff says in a statement, “COVID-19 has introduced new obstacles and challenges we have never faced before. The Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) will improve the capacity for these charities to continue to provide much needed resources and support to many residents of Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound. Thank you to all the organizations and charities in the riding that provide vital services and assistance, your contributions do not go unnoticed.”
Organizations receiving funding:
$4,500 – Home and Community Support Services – Virtual Day Away program – supporting technology to enable clients to participate in online programming
$5,434 – Canadian Mental Health Association – Fresh Roots Kitchen capacity enhancement and client safety screening equipment
$5795 – The Meeting Place Tobermory – Community Information & Resource Coordination
$6,000 – Community Living Kincardine – Technology to Enhance Online Support for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
$7,250 – Parkinson Society – Sustaining Client Support for those afflicted with Parkinson's Disease
$7,500 – Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library – Provide technology access via handheld tablets and chrome-books for those in need.
$10,000 – Victim Services Grey Bruce – Virtual Volunteer Training and Project Lifesaver Bruce Peninsula
$11,500 – Harmony Centre & Grey Bruce Community Garden Network – enhance food security through community gardens
$12,320 – Chelsey Baptist Church – Break Bread Community Take-Out Meal – supporting hot meals out into the community
$13,500 – The Salvation Army Wiarton – Increasing storage capacity and securing sanitation
$15,000 – YMCA – Day Camp Subsidy for Working Families – provide a weekly $120 subsidy for working parents whose children can attend the YMCA’s Day Camp in Owen Sound
$15,000 – Big Brothers Big Sisters Kincardine – Virtual Group Mentoring Program and Activity Kits
$16,000 – Saint Aidan's Episcopal Catholic Church – Frozen meal program
$16,012 – Ledge Leadership – Pathways to Resilience: Fostering Positive Youth Identities and Connection in Times of Uncertainty & Disruption
$20,000 – Canadian Mental Health Association – Site improvements for Union Place, programming tools to support new methods of programming
$30,000 – Bruce Peninsula Association for Community Living – Field to Table Program
$33,510 to Safe n Sound – The Covid-19 Wellness Comeback: Supporting homeless and at risk of homeless people in the community have greater access to programs and supports
$35,454 – Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce – In-Home Social Recreation
$54,482 to the Reach Program – REACHing Past Covid: Supporting clients/caregivers through virtual programming through the use of tablets and internet access.
$69,498 – Habitat for Humanity – Support building 2 homes at Neyaashiinigmiing