United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut Invests $150,000 for Local COVID-19 Related Relief

Funds will support programs, initiatives and services to ensure that basic needs are met.  

Hartford, Conn. (April 9, 2020) — United Way’s Board of Directors held a special meeting last week to approve a $150,000 investment in the organization’s Neighbors in Need fund. The fund, which is dedicated to disaster relief and response, will provide individuals and families with food, emergency assistance and childcare services through community-based organizations. This award, made possible in part by the ongoing support of generous United Way donors, will be added to the $50,000 donated to the relief fund by individuals, local foundations and workplaces in the last two weeks.

“COVID-19 has resulted in dire economic consequences for local individuals and families, many of whom were already walking a financial tightrope,” said Paula S. Gilberto, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “I’m grateful to our board of directors and all of our contributors for making these funds available and hope it serves as an incentive for others to contribute.”

“The more funds we raise, the more we will be able to provide to community-based organizations that are working with the most vulnerable members of our community,” Gilberto said. Funding applications are being accepted on a rolling basis with awards made as funds are received.

In addition, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut has partnered with colleagues across the state to establish the Connecticut United Ways COVID-19 Response Fund. These resources will be used to provide direct, short-term financial aid to those most in need of food and emergency assistance.

As this pandemic continues to evolve, so too will the needs of our community. Both funds will allow for flexibility in meeting those needs.

For more information on ways to give help or to get help visit www.unitedwayinc.org/emergency-response.

Relief efforts are made possible by the generosity of the following organizations:

• United Way Neighbors in Need: Community Foundation for Greater New Britain​; TD Bank, through the TD Charitable Foundation; Farmington Bank Community Foundation; American Savings Foundation​; UPS; Santander Bank, N.A.; and, Sun Life
• Connecticut United Ways COVID-19 Response Fund: Aetna Foundation; Citizens Bank; Connecticut Health Foundation; Connecticut State Employees Campaign; Ion Bank Foundation; J. Walton Bissell Foundation; Pitney Bowes; Travelers Companies, Inc.; and, Webster Bank Foundation

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About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s vision is a community where opportunities are available for every child to succeed in school and for every family to achieve financial security. United Way brings people and resources together to address immediate needs and finds long-term solutions to challenging problems. United Way does this by investing in programs and services, leading community change initiatives, and mobilizing resources and volunteers to ensure that: children succeed in school; people get jobs and are financially secure; people are healthy; and, basic needs are met during tough times. For more information, visit www.unitedwayinc.org.