TERRE HAUTE, Ind –  Citing the strength in working together, the United Way of the Wabash Valley and the Wabash Valley Community Foundation have jointly launched a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to support immediate economic stability and basic needs in Vigo, Clay, Parke, Sullivan, and Vermillion counties in Indiana and Clark County in Illinois in light of the anticipated impact of the current pandemic.

The relief fund will launch with $100,000. This includes $50,000 committed by United Way and $50,000 from the Community Foundation. Both organizations are also committing an additional $50,000 each ($100,000 total) as a matching challenge grant for the community. The organizations will reach out to corporate partners, individual philanthropists, foundations and community members seeking further support that will be matched up to the additional $100,000. Through this effort, both organizations hope the fund can quickly grow to $300,000 or more.

“Our organizations know many people in our community were already one missed paycheck away from financial crisis, and we know that this pandemic is creating so much additional stress,” explained Richard Payonk, Executive Director of the United Way of the Wabash Valley. “In these uncertain times, we need to work together and convene our community to address these urgent needs. We will take a collaborative listening and evolving approach to understand the community’s real-time developing needs and then direct financial help where needed most.”

 

“The purpose of this fund is to quickly and effectively grant resources to community-based organizations best positioned to meet the emerging needs resulting from this crisis,” explained Beth Tevlin, Executive Director for Wabash Valley Community Foundation. “The funds will go to any organization including but not limited to healthcare, education, business or non-profit, that understand the need and can support local residents and families who are most affected by emerging health, economic, and social impacts of the COVID-19 virus.” While the fund will not be providing grants to individuals, Tevlin explained that it will be funding non-profits or other entities, who can then provide people and families with services and support