$16,000 Awarded for COVID-19 Response

The United Way Board of Trustees met in special session on April 8 and awarded a trio of Community Impact Fund grants to assist with COVID-19 response in Logan County.
 
Lutheran Community Services received $8,000 to cover costs associated with their new all-day carryout option to serve the hungry in Logan County.
 
Our Daily Bread, which typically serves a hot meal to anyone who shows up for dinner between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays is now offering carry out meals between 10:00 and 4:30 p.m. The hot meals are still available between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
 
More than 60 people a day (75 percent of them children) have been utilizing this service. If you, or someone you know needs help, simply show up at Our Daily Bread (located at 223 Oakland Square in Bellefontaine, right across the street from the Bellefontaine Fire Department).
 
The $8,000 grant is in addition to the original $40,000 Lutheran Community Services is already receiving from United Way for 2020.
 
LifeCare Alliance received $5,000 cover costs associated with the increased demand for meals-on-wheels in Logan County.  More than 40 homebound senior citizens have already signed up for the service since the Stay-at-Home order was issued late last month.  The $5,000 grant is in addition to the original $25,000 LifeCare Alliance is already receiving from United Way for 2020.  To sign up yourself or a loved one for meals-on-wheels, please call (614) 278-3130.  
 
Light the Way Christian Counseling Center received $3,000 to provide mental health therapy sessions over the next several months in response to the COVID-19 crisis.  United Way's investment will cover the cost of approximately 75 therapy sessions for uninsured or underinsured clients seeking help to cope with anxiety or stress.
 
"Last week, I had a former client return to therapy," said Brenda Sanford, Program Director and Counselor. "She is a business owner and her business has had to shut down during this crisis. This business is the sole means of supporting her family of four. They will be forced to live off of savings in the immediate future. We worked on shifting her thoughts, committing to watching less news and focusing on her spiritual faith. When she could think more logically, we discussed ways to modify her business to operate more effectively in this time of social distancing and on-line connections."
 
All of the sessions will be conducted via Telehealth to comply with the Stay-at-Home order.  Call (937) 593-9600 for more information.
 
Local organizations may apply year-round to United Way's Community Impact Fund for support of emerging opportunities and emergency needs.  New Applications received by the first of the month will be considered for funding that month. Contact Dave Bezusko at (937) 592-2886 for more information before applying.