(Carroll and Stark Counties, OH) January 11, 2021 – In March 2020, United Way of Greater Stark County created the COVID-19 Impact Fund, designed to provide rent/mortgage and utilities assistance to individuals who lost their jobs or had reduced hours due to the pandemic.
Recently, we distributed 100% of the nearly $450,000 raised from that fund to 403 households with 606 children.
There have been many generous individuals, corporations, foundations and grantors to the fund who have made this critical assistance possible over the past nine months:
- A challenge match from an anonymous donor of $50,000 was achieved through community donations
- Many generous local corporate and foundations gifts including, H-P Products, Inc., The Hillman Foundation Fund, The Hoover Foundation – Immediate Impact Alert Fund, KeyBank, North Canton Medical Foundation, PNC Bank, Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton and Stark Community Foundation
- A gift from The Timken Charitable and Education Fund in September allowed United Way to expand from only rent and mortgage services to include additional emergency assistance services of utilities, food and prescription assistance
- A $150,000 grant was received through the City of Canton to provide city residents with rent, mortgage and utilities assistance
“Thank you so much. I love you guys. I appreciate your helpfulness. This is a big breather and gives me time to get things in line. I’ve been struggling to get bills paid now that I live by myself. I just got offered a new job, so hoping things go as planned. Thank you so much for your kindness and patience. God Bless.” – COVID-19 Impact Fund recipient
Over the past nine months, six United Way staff members reached out to all fund applicants and followed up to distribute the much-needed funds to the recipients.
“While the Impact Fund was a success, we know our work isn’t over yet as we continue to navigate the needs from the pandemic. We are doing our best to mitigate the immediate impact of the pandemic, while looking for ways to respond, recover and rebuild our community,” says Maria Heege, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Stark County. “United Way is committed to standing with our community and supporting those impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Thank you to those of you who have donated. Your generous support has given so many in our community hope. If you have not yet given, please consider a gift to the COVID-19 Impact Fund today and help continue this critical work to our friends and neighbors.”
Visit uwstark.org/covid or text STARK to 50503 to give today.
If you need information on other support services and community programs that can help during this crisis, call 2-1-1, visit 211stark.org, or text your zip code to 898-211.
About United Way of Greater Stark County
United Way of Greater Stark County fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We win by living United. By forging unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems. By mobilizing the best resources. And by inspiring individuals to join the fight against their community’s most daunting social crisis. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in our communities by leading in the development of solutions to critical social issues in the areas of health, education and financial stability. In order to live better, we must live United. For more information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit uwstark.org. Offices are at 401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.