United Way of Berks County’s COVID-19 response fund surpasses $1 Million

Nearly 30 organizations and agencies in Berks County have received grants totaling $525,000 from the United Way of Berks County’s COVID-19 Response Fund, with additional grant applications still under review.

The United Way announced this week that the response fund has raised more than $1 million.

“It is incredible to witness the kindness and generosity of so many people and organizations uniting to help feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and provide so many basic essentials for our struggling neighbors,” said Tammy White, President of United Way of Berks County.

All dollars raised, minus credit card fees, will support crucial programs to help alleviate ongoing needs around food, shelter and essential items. Additionally, funds have been used to help keep nonprofit staff safe by proving personal protective equipment (PPE).

Established in the early stages of the pandemic, the special fund is intended to meet increased need throughout the Berks community. Nonprofits and other agencies have struggled to keep up with increased demand for basic services.

“The pandemic has created extraordinary stress on our community, and the challenges continue to evolve,” explained White.

The United Way established the fund with a commitment of $100,000. That was followed by $100,000 gifts each from the Wyomissing Foundation and the Edwin Barbey Charitable Trust.

Organizations and supporters including Customers Bank, the Kindness Coalition, Karen and John Arnold and Dena and Vic Hammel provided challenge grants that enabled individual donors to double their contributions and assist those most affected by the crisis.

Elise Chesson, executive director of Family Promise of Berks County, a nonprofit that serves homeless families and unaccompanied minors, talked about what the grant means to her agency.

“We have seen a significant uptick on the number of applications from clients needing rent and utility assistance,” Chesson said. “Many individuals and families who had completed our programs now find themselves jobless again because of COVID. The dollars we received from United Way’s fund will help our clients hold onto some stability.”

Nick Marmontello, a member of a panel of volunteers with experience in identifying community needs and fund distribution that is reviewing all grant applications, praised the organizations that are working to serve those in need.

“What has impressed me most is the resiliency of our nonprofits to deliver services that are desperately needed by so many people,” Marmontello said. “So many of us live in a very sheltered world, while others are struggling for basic needs like food, diapers, personal care items, utilities and so many other things. I’m awestruck by how the community has come together.”

Grant recipients to date include:

• Berks Coalition to End Homelessness – two grants for shelter, utility and food needs
• Berks Community Television – equipment needs to broadcast local COVID
• Berks Connections/Pretrial Services – basic needs
•  Berks Encore – prepared meals for seniors
•  Blankets of Hope – PPE safety items
•  Boyertown Area Multi-Service – emergency pantry/food distribution
•  Catholic Charities – emergency food needs for veteran’s program
•  Community Prevention Partnership – supporting basic needs
•  Dayspring Homes – PPE needs
•  Family Promise of Berks County – housing needs
•  Habitat for Humanity – operational needs
•  Hannah’s Hope Ministries – emergency shelter
•  Helping Harvest – two grants for emergency food needs
•  Hope Rescue Mission – two grants for emergency shelter
•  Mary’s Shelter – infant/families essential needs
•  New Journey Community Outreach – two grants for safety net services/emergency food distribution
•  Olivet Boys & Girls Club – emergency food distribution
•  Opportunity House – emergency shelter
•  Prospectus Berco – PPE needs
•  The Rudden Family Foundation – supporting families in transition
•  Safe Berks – two grants for emergency support for domestic violence victims and safe housing/emergency needs
•  Salvation Army Reading Corps – food and basic needs
•  Salvation Army Extension Unit – food and financial assistance
•  Tower Health at Home – safety supplies for visiting nurses
•  Treatment Access and Services Center – virtual access to supportive services for clients
•  United Community Services – virtual GED/workforce education
•  YMCA – two grants for emergency childcare and transitional housing