United Way and the Community Foundation are moving quickly to get help where it's needed most. Thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund, we are able to release our largest and broadest wave of funds to date.
Wave 3 of Relief Funds includes $234,000 to support food, housing, and financial assistance. As part of the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund grant requirements, United Way of Champaign County is acting as a regional hub by supporting rural areas outside of our regular service area of Champaign County and Tuscola. Donations from individuals will continue to be used only within our service area.
We are also pleased to share that support for the Champaign County COVID-19 Relief Fund has topped $500,000. "We are grateful for every gift to the COVID-19 Relief Fund. The economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic is immense and growing every day. We continue to ask for our community's support to help families that are out of work and struggling to get by. We want families to know that your community is here for you," remarked Sue Grey, United Way of Champaign County President & CEO.
Food
$126,000 to 14 programs to provide food for families, homebound seniors, and food pantries.
This includes a new initiative - CU BetterTogether. This is an all-inclusive effort of both faith-based, and non-faith-based organizations to come together to support the families of school-aged children and reduce food insecurity in our community during COVID-19. It will work to support the existing food distribution systems managed by Champaign Unit 4 and Urbana Unit 116. The Champaign County COVID-19 Relief Fund is providing $65,000 in initial funds and will manage the CU-BetterTogether funds as part of our relief work.
| Arcola Food Pantry | Food and household supplies for Homebound Seniors | $5,000.00 |
| CRIS- Champaign & Danville | Food and household supplies for Homebound Seniors | $6,000.00 |
| Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County | Food Pantry | $5,000.00 |
| CU-Better Together- Food for School Families | Food | $65,000.00 |
| Daily Bread Soup Kitchen | Food | $6,000.00 |
| Family Service of Champaign County | Food and household supplies for Homebound Seniors | $2,000.00 |
| Hands of Christ Food Pantry - Ford County | Food | $3,000.00 |
| Hoopeston Multicultural Agency | Seniors, teen moms, food pantry, clothing | $3,000.00 |
| Piatt Willow Tree Missions | Food | $3,000.00 |
| Promise Healthcare | Food as Medicine Pantry | $2,000.00 |
| Salt & Light Ministries | Grocery Fund for households | $16,000.00 |
| Stonecreek Food Pantry | Food Pantry | $4,000.00 |
| The Dwelling Place - Danville | Food, laundry, drop-in services, showers | $3,000.00 |
Housing
$36,000 to 4 organizations to provide emergency shelter and mortgage assistance.
| Austin's Place | Emergency Shelter | $5,000.00 |
| C-U at Home | Emergency Shelter and Daytime | $10,000.00 |
| Courage Connection | Emergency Shelter | $6,000.00 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County | Mortgage Assistance | $15,000.00 |
Financial Assistance
$22,000 to five organizations to provide one-time emergency financial aid to families.
| Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County | One-time financial assistance per household | $7,000.00 |
| Champaign County Healthcare Consumers | One-time financial assistance per household | $3,000.00 |
| Family Service of Champaign County | One-time financial assistance per household | $2,000.00 |
| New American Welcome Center | One-time financial assistance per household | $5,000.00 |
| The Refugee Center | One-time financial assistance per household | $5,000.00 |
OTHER UNITED WAYS
As required by the Illinois COVID-19 Relief Fund Grant, we are distributing to other local United Ways. They will use the funds to support their communities' greatest needs.
Danville Area United Way - $20,000.00
United Way of Coles County - $15,000.00
United Way of McLean County $15,000.00
