Officials with United Way of the Wabash Valley and the Wabash Valley Community Foundation announced Friday a 6^th round of disbursements from the Wabash Valley COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund that was created in March to assist organizations helping individuals and families with immediate COVID-19 related needs.  The Steering Committee providing oversight for the fund has reviewed over 100 applications in just 6 weeks.  With this week’s release of funding, 10 organizations were granted more than $48,000 to continue to provide important emergency relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizations receiving an award from the fund in this 6^th round:

• $5,000 for Chances and Services for Youth – help hire and employ camp counselors due to the loss of partner funding surrounding COVID-19. Loss of volunteers and college students.
• $5,000 for Meals on Wheels – increased administration cost due to not allowing volunteers in the kitchen for health safety. Additional hire to help with increased demand.
• $4,400 for Reading Boot Camp – provide 23 students with an HD Tablet and internet access cards to attend virtual Reading Boot Camp.
• $5,000 for Saint Patrick’s Soup Kitchen – increased need for food pantry; purchase food, to-go supplies and meal-prep protective ware.
• $4,000 for St. Mary Community Kitchen Outreach (Sullivan)– increased need for food pantry; purchase food and supplies.
• $5,000 for Swope Art Museum, Inc. – to help cover cost of PPE and cleaning supplies to be used when the Swope reopens.
• $5,000 for Terre Haute Children’s Museum – to create 1,000 STEM Play Packs for children PreK-6th grade to be distributed (one pack per family) through the summer lunch distributions sites and/or community centers.
• $5,000 for Valley Professionals Community Health Center – supplement expenses to enable “reduced costs” for mental health services to our local first responders
• $5,000 for Vigo County Mutual Aid – provide $50 of groceries to 100 families in critical need of food and food delivery due to COVID-19.
• $5,000 for Vigo County School Corporation – expand food distribution for weekend consumption.

Since March 24^th, the fund has awarded more than $328,000 in emergency community support services related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Officials stated that funds remain for further disbursements and applications are reviewed weekly.  Those organizations wanting to apply can request up to a maximum of $5,000. Updated eligibility and application guidelines for the grants are available at uwwv.org/covid.  Organizations seeking funding are encouraged to review these guidelines.