LCUW Community Covid-19 Relief Fund in Full Operation

The Livingston County United Way (LCUW) is excited to share the LCUW Community Covid-19 Relief Fund is set up, is receiving donations and has already sent checks to 7 programs needing support at the front line.

100% of the funds raised will go toward helping local nonprofit agencies meet the basic needs of those most vulnerable during this crisis. “The online platform we created has given residents the capability to donate any size of donation, and it’s working, $20 donations add up quick,” said Terri Hillier-Romankewiz, LCUW Marketing & Development Director.

The LCUW Community Covid-19 Relief fund has also received two large donations from local companies. Meijer sent LCUW a donation with an enclosed written letter from Rick Keyes, President and CEO, and Hank Meijer, Executive Chairman, stating “The essential services you provide day after day offer hope, stability in the building blocks for a good quality of life for every member of our community. We are honored to provide you with $39,000.” Meijer has 3 store locations in Livingston County.

Last week Citizen’s Insurance Company of America, a member of The Hanover Insurance Group, located in Howell, made a donation of $25,000. “United Way is offering critical support to the local community during these challenging times. As a member of the Howell community, we’re proud to help further its efforts,” said Paul J. Mueller, West Zone Executive at The Hanover.

Thanks to the generosity of these donors, last week LCUW was able to provide support to 6 nonprofits with 7 programs.  Recipient agencies will provide emergency food, nights of shelter, and personal care items to Livingston County residents already impacted by the Covid-19 shutdown.  Liz Welch, LCUW Community Investments Director said, “We also have to thank our Community Impact Volunteers, who have been meeting with us virtually to help us make these critical funding decisions.”

LCUW encourages local nonprofits to apply for funding.  Right now, LCUW is able to turn around a response within a week or less. Relief Fund guidelines and application can be found at https://livingstoncountyunitedway.org//coronavirus/.

As things continue to change daily, we know the next weeks will uncover additional needs for families. LCUW invites the community to also get involved and make a big impact. If you would like to donate to the fund, you can visit our website at www.lcunitedway.org, click on this link http://igfn.us/form/ukDgsg , text Livcohelp to 41444 or mail a check payable to Livingston County United with “Community Relief Fund” noted in the memo line. Mail checks to LCUW at 2980 Dorr Rd, Brighton, MI 48116.

Grant applications are now being accepted through Livingston County United Way’s Community COVID-19 Relief Fund

Livingston County United Way invites local 501c3, nonprofits, providing emergency services to the residents impacted by COVID-19 in our community to apply for funds.

The Livingston County United Way’s Community COVID-19 Relief fund will begin by deploying funds to local agencies that are providing direct assistance to people with food, housing, utilities and other basic needs during this pandemic situation.

In order to move funds quickly and not further burden agencies on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, local agencies can submit a grant request for relief funds using an electronic application located at https://livingstoncountyunitedway.org/coronavirus/.

As fundraising efforts continue, funds will be released on a rolling basis, making it possible to deploy resources quickly and adapt to evolving needs. Basic needs will be prioritized, but does not mean there may not be other unseen circumstances that could require funding. To learn more about the Livingston County United Way’s Community COVID-19 Relief Fund grant opportunity, visit  https://livingstoncountyunitedway.org/coronavirus/

If an individual or company would like to donate to the fund, click here , text Livcohelp to 41444 or mail a check payable to Livingston County United with “Community Relief Fund” noted in the memo line. Mail checks to LCUW at 2980 Dorr Rd, Brighton, MI 48116. For more information, visit lcunitedway.org.

Please contact Anne Rennie at arennie@lcunitedway.org with any questions or concerns regarding Livingston County United Way’s Community COVID-19 Relief fund.

Livingston County United Way seeking donations for Community COVID-19 Relief Fund

After emergency meetings were held with local nonprofit partners on Friday, March 13^th, Livingston County United Way (LCUW) created a Community COVID-19 Relief fund. “We need to help families weather this crisis. But we can’t do it without your support”, said Anne Rennie, Executive Director of Livingston County United Way.

100% of the funds raised will go toward helping local nonprofit agencies meet the basic needs of those most vulnerable during the crisis.

LCUW and our partners are committed to ensuring our county’s most at-risk families have the support they need. Our primary focus is for those that receive free and reduced lunches, and families and seniors that may need food support quickly and safely.

As things continue to change daily, the next weeks will uncover additional needs. That is why it so important that funds and volunteers are available to support these community organizations with boots on the ground, working tirelessly to help our residents in Livingston County. LCUW is also working on a platform to gather standby volunteers, in preparation for on-going and evolving needs.

Today, The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan made a $10,000 donation to the Livingston County Community COVID-19 Relief Fund. The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a full-service philanthropic organization leading the way to positive change in our region. As a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations, the Foundation supports a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development, and civic affairs. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $1 billion through nearly 69,000 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair, and Livingston counties. For more information, please visit www.cfsem.org.

In addition to that generous donation, the Pritchard-Johnson Family Charitable Fund has also donated $5,000 to help support our Livingston Families.

“We are extremely grateful for the donation from The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and The Pritchard-Johnson Family Charitable Fund. Their donations to our Community COVID-19 Relief fund will have a huge impact and is exactly what we needed to jump start our fundraising efforts”, said Rennie.

LCUW invites our community to also get involved and make a big impact their own donation.  If you would like to donate to the fund, click on this link http://igfn.us/form/ukDgsg  , text Livcohelp to 41444 or mail a check payable to Livingston County United with “Community Relief Fund” noted in the memo line. Mail checks to LCUW at 2980 Dorr Rd, Brighton, MI 48116.

Livingston County United Way is working with community partners to mobilize the community in order to help those in need.  As the information changes daily, if not more often, we are monitoring developments of the global pandemic and creating strategies to ensure our most vulnerable populations have the supports needed to weather this change.

All decisions are in an effort to remain consistent with the guidance from both Governor Whitmer and the CDC.  This includes having conversations with both our local Department of Health and Human Services and our local Health Department.

United Way Office and Employees

The Livingston County United Way Building will continue operations and we have taken measures to ensure we have contained the spread of COVID-19.

As of March 16^th:

• Our offices will remain open with limited on-site staff.  Staff will be also working remotely.  The best way to reach any of the staff during this time, will be by email.
• We will suspend all in person meetings at this time and most meetings will be held via GoToMeetings. Reach out to the facilitator if you have not heard about your up-coming meeting.
• With that same goal in mind, United Way staff will not be participating in any face to face meetings at this time, but will attend virtually.

2020-2021 Community Investments Process

The 2020-2021 Community Investments Process is still underway; all grant request deadlines and tentative presentation dates are still in place.
To ensure the safety of our community applicants and panelists as well as our staff, plans are being made to transition to a fully online presentation and evaluation process.
Details will be communicated as they are solidified.

Hunger Council and Homeless Continuum of Care

The Livingston County United Way has been a part of these coalition discussions over the last 2 days and have helped to distribute the coordinated response sheets they have created in order to share available resources for both food and housing.  These conversations will continue to occur in order to reevaluate the response based on new and ever-changing information.  All efforts are being developed with the recognition that the needs will only be increasing as we see families and individuals potentially lose income due to closures.

211

The 211 network has a daily COVID-19 check in meeting where any efforts, information and/or updates are shared with our 211 system administrators to ensure they have the most up to date and accurate resource lists for our communities to access.

How has COVID-19 impacted you?

How Can you Help?

One of the ways I am always proud and amazed by our community, is how we pull together and help whenever there is a need.  This situation is no different.  We have had calls from people wanting to volunteer or wanting to donate, because they just want to make a difference.  Sadly, we find ourselves with a lot of extra time, but know gathering groups of volunteers is not ideal given the situation. So here are a few ways you can help:

1. Share Information

• Contact 211
• Livingston County Health Department – www.livgov.com/health/ph/Pages/COVID19.aspx

2. Check in with vulnerable or isolated people

• Check on loved ones via phone and email
• Check on neighbors through screen doors if possible

We are here if you need us!

These are unprecedented times.  Please know we are here for you and recognize the additional impacts these closures have on individuals and families.  These include childcare challenges, unemployment, emotional instability and fear.  Please reach out if there are ways we can help.  We will get through this together.  www.lcuntedway.org

All of Us at Livingston County United Way

The Livingston County United Way and the Livingston County Hunger Council held an emergency planning meeting today, March 13, 2020 to discuss a collaborative plan to serve the county. Protecting the health of all and ensuring food security for our youth, families and seniors is our primary focus.

For today, March 13, 2020:

Gleaners (517-548-3710) canceled all large group volunteer efforts. The Shared Harvest Pantry is still open by appointment. The pantry will be a drive up service with a box of food; and may include meat, fresh produce, toilet paper and laundry soap (as supplies are available).

Meals on Wheels (810-632-2155) continue their services while limiting contact with seniors to protect all involved. There is currently no waitlist for this service. Seniors over 60 may sign up for free. There is a charge for those under 60 years of age.

The Salvation Army (517- 546-4750) will continue to serve clients through their pantry. There will be prepacked food boxes available on a drive through basis. ID is required. The Salvation Army is working on a plan to serve lunches starting Monday and a rotating plan for their Mobile Canteen. The Salvation Army is looking for bulk food donations to help meet these needs.

Fish and Loaves Hot Meals Sites will leave the decision up to the sites as to continuing to offer meals on their designated days. Please contact the churches directly to ensure the building is still open. Magdalen’s Kitchen at St. Mary Magdalen Church plans to be open on Monday as usual.

Livingston County is known for collaborative efforts. Any threat to our community does not change the desire to ensure all are safe and no one goes hungry. The Hunger Council is committed to its mission together we nourish our community by championing food access and education. For this purpose, we are working hard today and every day.

Due to the rapidly changing situation, these plans are subject to change and evolve. Please consider calling 211 for the most up-to-date information. For more information on the Livingston County Hunger Council, click here.