The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Town launches COVID-19 grants to help residents
OLD SAYBROOK — The town has launched an ad-hoc town committee, Old Saybrook Cares, founded to assist residents affected by COVID-19.
Residents can apply for a grant up to $1,500 to be used for food, housing, utilities, child care or transportation costs related to job layoffs and/or unemployment due to the coronavirus, according to a press release.
“We are thrilled to be launching Old Saybrook Cares for the benefit of our residents,” First Selectman Carl Fortuna said in a prepared statement. “I am proud to say that 100 percent of the funds raised through the Old Saybrook Cares program will benefit town residents affected by COVID-19.
“We are a generous town and the time is now to help our fellow citizens. I am also thankful to the Old Saybrook Cares committee for their volunteer efforts in making Old Saybrook’s response to this health crisis a model for other communities to follow,” Fortuna said.
Those who meet eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply by visiting middlesexunitedway.org. Applications will be reviewed and rewarded on a first come-first-served basis. The first round of grants will be distributed by the end of August.
Only one grant will be awarded per household.
The program was born from the town’s Long Term Recovery Committee, which brings together local government, voluntary agencies, community and faith-based organizations, philanthropy and private sector partners to assist with the pandemic response and recovery effort, according to the news release.
The LTRC will pull together local resources to meet the needs of town residents, identify gaps and communicate, if necessary, with the state of Connecticut for a response.
Committee members include Mark Ricciardelli, Ashley Smelser, Leigh Morant and Kristen Roberts. The committee’s goal is to raise $100,000 in order to address the ongoing needs of as many as possible. The committee received a matching grant of $30,000 from From You Flowers in Old Saybrook.
“We hope that this matching grant motivates others to donate to this important program to help even more Old Saybrook residents in their time of need,” Mike Chapin, president and CEO of From You Flowers, said in the statement.
Donations are being accepted at middlesexunitedway.org or can be mailed to Old Saybrook Cares Committee, c/o Town Hall, 302 Main St., Old Saybrook, CT 06475.