Community Foundation, United Way launch Thurston County COVID-19 Response Fund
Two Thurston County organizations have joined forces to create a fund that will be used to help those hardest hit economically by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the local nonprofits who help them. The fund is now accepting donations.
Community Foundation of South Puget Sound and United Way of Thurston County (UWTC) partnered to launch the “Thurston County COVID-19 Response Fund.”
The organizations will work with community leaders and local government, public health, and emergency management officials as they coordinate and adapt their response to evolving needs, according to an announcement on UWTC’s website.
“Together, UWTC and the Community Foundation will gather data to identify emerging needs, as well as gaps in existing services, and work to rapidly mobilize and deploy resources to the people who are most vulnerable to the economic impacts of COVID-19 in Thurston County,” the announcement reads.
The organizations are assessing needs as they accept donations to the fund online.
Chris Wells, Executive Director of UWTC, told the Olympian it will likely be a couple days before the fund is open for people to apply for assistance. When funding is available, information on how to apply via the Community Action Council will be online at www.unitedway-thurston.org/covid-19.
“We understand that people are feeling an enormous amount of anxiety as things continue to develop so quickly,” Wells told The Olympian. “Once the economic impacts begin to ... impact individuals and families, we want to be prepared to respond immediately.”
How to donate
One-time and recurring donations can be made online: https://securepayment.link/unitedwayofthurstoncounty/.
Individual and corporate gifts also can be made in person or by mail at:
- UWTC (3525 Seventh Ave. SW, Suite 201, Olympia)
- Community Foundation (212 Union Ave. SE, Olympia)
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 9:13 AM.
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