United Way of the Coastal Empire distributes $318K in pandemic relief

The United Way of the Coastal Empire has distributed $318,050 of the COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, helping 787 people in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties since the beginning of the pandemic, the agency said in a May 15 news release.

The greatest needs have been for food and housing. With partner agencies most directly addressing food insecurity, housing then accounts for 84% of the fund distribution to date.

The United Way has received more than $550,000 in donations since the pandemic began.

The money is being distributed to assist with rent, mortgage and utility payments when grace periods are not offered, and to assist with medical expenses and child care. Also, emergency funding is being provided to United Way’s partner agencies with a demonstrated increase in demand for services.

“We realize there is more to be done,” added Brynn Grant, the president and CEO of the United Way of the Coastal Empire. “In our four-county region, nearly 120,000 individuals and families were living paycheck to paycheck with no reserves even before the pandemic.”

Additional fund distributions have included:

■ $26,000 grant to the Savannah-ChathamCountyPublicSchool System to purchase 115 Chromebooks for students in schools with the highest levels of poverty.

■ $12,500 in awards to partner agencies for increased emergency food and shelter costs; case management and translation services; technology for remote crisis counseling; and more health and safety personnel for a youth summer program.