Orange and Sullivan COVID-19 Response Fund surpasses $520,000 raised

Just seven weeks after the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan (CFOS) launched the Orange and Sullivan COVID-19 Response Fund, it has distributed 78 grants totaling $324,176 to local nonprofit organizations to address immediate and longer-term needs of residents in Orange and Sullivan counties hardest hit by the pandemic.

The Orange and Sullivan COVID-19 Response Fund distributes grants of up to $5,000 each to established nonprofit organizations that provide front-line services to the counties' most vulnerable populations - food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, protective personal equipment for health care workers, online access to education for students, diapers and formula for babies, telehealth for the elderly and those with special needs and even supplies for animal shelters.

Since its inception, the fund has generated overwhelming support from local individuals, corporations and foundations and raised more than $520,000. Grant requests are coming in daily, and CFOS continues to look to the public for donations to meet escalating needs in both counties.

"We are blown away by the outpouring of generosity by community members, corporations and foundations alike," said Elizabeth Rowley, CFOS President and CEO. "Surpassing half a million dollars raised was no small task, and it shows just how much folks in Orange and Sullivan counties care about their neighbors' well being even when their own daily lives have been turned upside down.

"However, as the weeks pass and more and more people are out of work, the need for services provided by area nonprofits will rise," Rowley added. "We hope that those who can will continue to give to help the most vulnerable get through this crisis. We're certain that with our help the nonprofits will continue to rise to the occasion to provide the critical goods and services needed."

The grants

Baby Steps Baby Pantry in the City of Newburgh was among the nonprofits to be awarded a grant to support their response efforts. Because of the grant, the nonprofit has been able to distribute thousands of diapers, wipes, ointment and baby soap to more families than ever before.

The CFOS component fund A Single Bite is utilizing the grant it was awarded to support its efforts to help feed Sullivan County's low-income children and their families.

Three times a week, our team prepares and delivers more than 500 healthy meals and sadly, more families are requesting assistance every day," said CFOS - Fund for A Single Bite Executive Director Audrey Garro. "One hundred percent of contributions to A Single Bite exclusively support the purchase of food and packaging and we continue to rely on local growers and producers as much as possible to help them through this challenging time."

Donations at any level are currently being accepted. One hundred percent of donations to the fund will stay here in Orange and Sullivan counties. Nonprofit organizations providing response services to Orange and Sullivan residents during this pandemic are encouraged to apply for grants at. This information and a list of grantees can be found at www.cfosny.org/covid-19-response-fund/. A full list of donors can be found at www.cfosny.org/covid-19-response-donors/.

To learn more, visit cfosny.org.