Coronavirus Response Fund Makes A Difference

DEM Blogger

April 10, 2020

You can do something that will make a difference for those in need as all of Lexington and central Kentucky fight the battle against the Coronavirus.

The Coronavirus Response Fund awards flexible grants to local and regional nonprofits to support individuals and families across the joint service region. Community advisors and funders help identify organizations currently providing supports to Central Kentucky residents that are aligned with the priorities of the Response Fund in order to expand available resources and relief. Priorities in the first phase of funding will include:  food, childcare, transportation and healthcare or prescription assistance. Each week, the advisory committee meets virtually to determine available funds and issue new grant awards. Currently, the below organizations have received funding through the Coronavirus Response Fund:

Week 1:

• God’s Pantry Food Bank: Funds will support food access and availability for all Fayette County clients, and for Senior Citizens in surrounding counties.  The Food Bank will be supplying supplemental nutrition to clients in-need by providing boxes that contain enough food for five days (for a family of 3).  In counties where pantries are still open, but distribution centers for seniors are closed, delivery service will focus on seniors.
• The Urban League of Lexington: The Urban League operates senior housing facilities for low-income and budget-constrained seniors.  In all, the Urban League is responsible for 120 occupied units in Fayette County. Funding will support individual needs assessments for each unit and supply seniors with food, medical needs, household supplies, and other items that are necessary as they shelter in place.
• Community Action Council:  Funding will help provide non-food essentials to anyone in-need, including diapers, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, medical and cleaning supplies, and more.  Supplies will be provided to community members and homeless individuals in-need across Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison, Madison, Nicholas and Scott counties.
• Harrison Memorial Hospital: Harrison County is the epicenter of the Coronavirus Pandemic in Kentucky.  Harrison Memorial is a 501c(3) community health organization. Funding will help expand testing for possible COVID-19 infection, as well as providing general medical assistance to those in-need, including access to prescription medication and medical supplies for low-income and vulnerable populations in Cynthiana and neighboring counties.
• RadioLEX: Funding will help RadioLEX increase awareness and outreach regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. RadioLEX will serve as a general source of information for all listeners but will also focus outreach to Hispanic communities and other English Language Learners (ELLs) across its listening area.

Week 2:

• Childcare Council: Funding will support childcare agencies who have opened their doors to accommodate the children of first responders and medical personnel.  The Council will provide round-the-clock administrative and logistical support to those childcare centers, including offering free training and support to childcare workers and staff across the region while the situation persists.
• Mission Lexington: Will use funds to provide prescription medications to low-income and budget-constrained individuals. Faith Pharmacy is providing these services to seniors, but can also serve other vulnerable populations as a result of added funding.
• ITN Bluegrass: Will provide ride and delivery services to vulnerable populations, particularly seniors.  Rides and delivery are now mainly focused on delivery of groceries and sundries, and rides to or delivery of medical equipment, supplies, and prescriptions.
• Bluegrass Families First: Will provide diapers, formula, wipes and household supplies to low-income families and single mothers.
• FoodChain:  Funding will supply 1,000 meals per day to Fayette County children during spring break, when few meal options remain available to them.  Food Chain has brought together a host of partner agencies and businesses in order to accomplish this task, and will be able to distribute food to kids from low-income families at targeted sites across the city for the duration of spring break.

Week 3

• God’s Pantry: Continuing to be on the front lines of food distribution in Central Kentucky, God’s Pantry is increasing its capacity in order to serve those who are most affected by the pandemic.  Funding will go toward the purchase of additional product that will help the agency meet increasing demands.
• FoodChain: Continuing to provide prepared meals for children, seniors and other vulnerable populations across Lexington, FoodChain will use this funding to fill gaps in food delivery plans for FCPS students. FoodChain has brought together a host of partner agencies and businesses in order to accomplish this task, and will be able to distribute 500 meals, 4 days per week to low-income families at targeted sites across the city.
• Amen House (Scott United Ministries): Serves any Scott Countian in need by providing food, clothing, and other basic necessities.  These funds will help the agency meet increasing need in Scott County.
• Frankfort Emergency Food Pantry: Providing emergency food for Franklin County residents, the pantry has seen drastically increased demand as a result of the pandemic.  These funds will help the pantry meet the current demand and prepare for the continuing escalation of need.
• Greenhouse17: An unintended consequence of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been an increase in the incidents of domestic violence. Greenhouse17 is on the front lines of that fight.  Funds will help the agency to respond to the increase in demand for its services.  They will also need to make modifications in the way services are delivered, additional funding will help to make those needed adjustments.
• Packin’ the Pantry: A food bank serving Fayette and Jessamine Counties, the pantry has seen dramatically increased demand for food because of displaced workers.  Funding will help to meet that demand and prepare for any additional increases in demand in the future.
• Wheels (by Red Cross): Providing critical transportation services for our region’s most vulnerable residents.  Wheels continues to get seniors and other vulnerable populations where they need to go in emergency situations.  Funding will go toward the continuation of the service for high-need clients.
• Kentucky Refugee Ministries: Providing critical response-related information to English Language Learner (ELL) populations across Central Kentucky, the agency is a source of information for those who would otherwise be left in the dark. KRM continues to educate refugee and immigrant families about COVID-19 and is providing resources and updates in 18 languages.