Atlantic Compassion Fund will help those affected by coronavirus
Program includes partnership with United Way
As communities across the world move quickly in response to COVID-19, a local business owner is taking action to help Atlantic Canadians.
Tom Rose, president of Atlantic Business Interiors, is partnering with 11 United Ways throughout Atlantic Canada, including the United Way of Pictou County, in creating the Atlantic Compassion Fund.
“Many people in our community are in crisis right now,” said Ellen Fanning, executive director of the United Way of Pictou County. “Things like a lack of access to food, medicine and transportation, the closure of public spaces, lost wages and inability to connect with family, friends or care providers can take already challenge circumstances to unmanageable extremes. Now, more than ever, we need to pull together to support those who need it most.”
And that’s what this fund will do. The fund will support those who are most impacted by the widespread social distancing and other public health measures being implemented across the region.
Atlantic Business Interiors is donating up to $100,000 in office furniture to support the community and nonprofit sector in their ability to work remotely. In addition, Rose is going to match dollar for dollar the first $100,000 of contributions made by individuals and businesses across the Atlantic region. He encourages fellow business owners, big and small, to consider making a donation.
“Like so many others, my mind and heart have been racing, thinking about what I can do to help, particularly those who are already vulnerable, precariously employed, and experiencing or living on the edge of poverty,” said Rose. “This fund will provide tangible support to those who need it most and I ask other businesses and individuals who can to join in and donate, too. Together, we can respond compassionately and demonstrate the importance of truly caring for one another.”
Maria Rose, owner of Steve-O-Reno’s Cappuccino in Halifax, is joining these efforts by donating up to $10,000 in coffee and baked goods to service providers, and those they are helping during these challenging and uncertain times. The goods will be prepared by a team operating with the highest level of cleanliness and goods will be delivered by a response team on an as-needed basis. She is encouraging other food and beverage establishments across Atlantic Canada to do what they can.
When this period of social distancing comes to an end, the Atlantic Compassion Fund may support programming or initiatives that will help bring our communities back together.
The Atlantic Compassion Fund will support community agencies and the people they serve during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the fund may be used to:
▪ meet the immediate needs of the most marginalized in our community, such as providing access to food, medicine, transportation, and mental health support;
▪ support outreach to seniors and vulnerable populations, such as grocery and supply deliveries, safety check-ins, or community interventions that replace traditional drop-in centre programming that is not permitted at this time;
▪ pay for deep cleaning services and related supplies and protections for community facilities and shelters; and,
▪ provide discretionary funds to service providers so they are better able to help those who will be underemployed, displaced, or further marginalized.