Umbrella charities to distribute funds for COVID-19 support
United Way, Red Cross putting out word to groups dealing with outbreak fallout
United Way Regina has seen a definite impact on Saskatchewan residents from COVID -19.
According to the organization’s CEO Robyn Edwards-bentz, connections to its 211 system — such as contact by phone or via chat messages — has gone up more than 200 per cent.
“So we know that across Saskatchewan, the needs are critical and people are looking to get the help that they need while they’re in isolation, or even find out who to call,” she said.
“There are a lot of offerings that are available online or digitally now, but finding them and getting paired up or matched up with the services that you need at this critical time when you need them is quite challenging.”
Thanks to federal funding, United Way Regina has some extra dollars to distribute to charitable organizations helping those left in vulnerable positions by COVID -19.
Recently, the federal government announced funding for what it termed the Emergency Community Support Fund. Here in southern Saskatchewan, groups like United Way Regina, Red Cross and the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation have been tasked with finding organizations to distribute the funds to.
Edwards-bentz said a prerequisite is that the groups that successfully apply must use the money to support clients struggling with fallout from COVID -19.
“We’re looking for activities that are connected to, say, provision of food security or financial wellness, health and hygiene, personal supports, mental health services (and) sometimes legal supports which would fall into that, shelter, safety ...,” she said.
“(COVID-19) has had quite an impact on our community. And this is specific outreach and engagement to help (vulnerable) people navigate through difficult times.”
Each of the distributing organizations has its own way of handing out the funds. In the United Way Regina’s case, a maximum of $25,000 is available to each successful applicant in the city and up to $15,000 for rural ( given they have fewer clients to serve). That ensures a fairer distribution of the money to groups that need it.
Edwards-bentz added that as there are three organizations tasked with distributing the funds, they’re working together to ensure balance and fairness. If one charitable organization is granted funds from one of the distributors, they aren’t likely to be prioritized by another.
“We’re trying to make sure that funds are broadly available to those who need and that we’re not duplicating,” she said. “We’re taking extra steps to make sure that the same program isn’t being applied for across various different federal funding pools or even between the three distribution partners here.”
The biggest challenge to United Way Regina at the moment is getting the word out.
“A part of the challenge for us is making sure that people know that the fund is even available,” Edwards-bentz said. “Primarily, we’re using social media, but also through networks and other connections that we have across southern Saskatchewan. But that’s really the challenge.”
To date, they’ve had a number of applicants, but they’re looking for more.
Edwards-bentz said the federal funding comes as a relief to communities and the agencies who serve the most vulnerable populations — particularly since many such agencies have been hit by COVID -19 themselves.
“We know that the charitable sector has been hit hard,” she said. “Many fundraising activities had to stop or be postponed to the next year. Giving depends on donors’ ability to give to their organizations of choice. All these things are just beginning now, and we are really expecting that the longer-term impacts will be felt several months down the line.”
Edwards-bentz added United Way Regina’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program — which provides free tax and benefit returns for low to moderate-income earners — is once again available. It had been temporary closed due to COVID -19 but is once again being offered, although by appointment only.
She said Sasktel Pioneer volunteers had helped out in the meantime, and last week prepared an average 45 to 50 returns per day.