This week, four area nonprofits serving the most vulnerable people during the COVID-19 crisis received the first grants from the Community Foundation of Western Nevada’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Northern Nevada HOPES will use their $10,000 grant to purchase Personal Protective Equipment for the 15 staff seeing patients in the parking lot pop up clinic that increases total clinical space to accommodate social distancing.
HOPES serves over 10,000 patients annually, however just since March 16 (the day Nevada went under the stay at home order), they have had a total of 3,398 patient visits, including telephone visits and video visits for medical and behavioral health and 198 visits in the parking lot.
In an effort to keep the very low income, elderly and sick patients who depend upon the services of The
Community Health Alliance (CHA) safe they will use their $10,000 grant to pay for screening tents outside of their North Valleys, Sparks, Wells Ave, and Neil Road health centers. CHA is preparing to see more people who have no job or benefits and who need mental and medical services. In addition to the screening tents, they are installing hand-washing stations, purchasing multiple thermometers, hand sanitizers and disinfected wipes, and increasing the janitorial and cleaning procedures throughout their facilities.
The Food Bank of Northern Nevada received a $30,000 grant as part of the #GivingTuesdayNow $50,000 matching gift challenge. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada has seen a 40% increase in people needing services. Disruptions in both their donated food and purchased food supply chains have further increased their costs at a time when the demand at the food pantries is skyrocketing.
The
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) was given a $200 grant to buy a yearly subscription to Zoom to host mental health support groups virtually.
In addition, $10,000 worth of gift cards from area restaurants who donated $20 of each $100 cards were given to area hospitals to disperse to employees working on the front lines through the COVID Kindness programs in partnership with Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce, and $5,000 of healthy frozen meals were purchased for REMSA responders.
"As the crisis continues, it becomes clear who really needs help. Those who don’t qualify for government support or unemployment, are showing up in desperation at nonprofit organizations that offer health care, food, and other basic critical assistance," said Community Foundation President and CEO, Chris Askin.
The Community Foundation has received heart-wrenching requests from people who are frightened that they will not be able to pay their rent, buy food for their families, keep their jobs, or maintain their health. We are supporting organizations that serve those in precarious positions during this difficult time. The generous contributions we have received to the COVID-19 Relief Fund will continue to address the needs of our community as they arise.
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Established in 1998 as a public charity, the Community Foundation of Western Nevada has distributed more than $132 million in grants and scholarships from charitable created by individuals, businesses, and organizations to strengthen our Nevada region. The Community Foundation serves as a community leader, permanent charitable resource, and a philanthropic advisor in charitable giving. Learn more at nevadafund.org