BRATTLEBORO — The United Way of Windham County, with help from the Thomas Thompson Trust and the Crosby-Gannett Fund, raised $57,000 for the COVID-19 Response Fund.
According to a news release, the first grant distributions, totaling $23,300, have been allocated to the following organizations:
• $10,700 to nine agencies that provide services to youths and elderly people. These agencies meet needs as varied as childhood development, youth mentoring services, and adult day care.
Examples of these agencies are Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vermont, The Gathering Place, and West Bee Nursery School.
• $9,100 allocated to six agencies that provide basic-needs assistance such as food, shelter, and heating support to families. Examples of these organizations are Brattleboro Area Affordable Housing, Food Connects, and the Putney Foodshelf.
• $3,500 allocated to seven agencies that provide arts and cultural programming to people of all age ranges in Windham County. Examples of these agencies are Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center, In-Sight Photography, and New England Youth Theatre.
The coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent shelter-in-place orders have created an exponential rise in unemployment and underemployment, leaving families with fewer resources to meet their basic needs.
As the region progresses through the response to the current crisis and transitions into the recovery phase, support will continue to be provided to organizations to help with varying needs.
To donate, visit unitedwaywindham.org/responsefund or send a check with “COVID-19 Response Fund” in the memo line to P.O. Box 617, Brattleboro, VT 05302.