April 30, 2020 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – In response to the coronavirus outbreak, The Luzerne Foundation announces the first round of grants totaling $91,750 from the Luzerne County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund distributed to 16 organizations.
The Luzerne Foundation established the Luzerne County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to support nonprofit, community-based organizations working with those who are impacted by COVID-19 and the related economic, social, and health-related consequences of the outbreak. We are grateful for our collaborative partners who have provided financial support and shared their time and talent freely: AllOne Foundation & Charities; Wells Fargo Foundation; PPL Foundation; Wm. G. McGowan Foundation; The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the many TLF fundholders, and friends; The United Ways of Wyoming Valley and Greater Hazleton; The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, Back Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, NCAC, and DiscoverNEPA.org.
Funding recipients in the first round include Volunteers in Medicine, McGlynn Center, The Salvation Army, Catholic Social Services, United Way of Greater Hazleton, Domestic Violence Service Center, Inc., Family Service Association of NEPA, Dinners for Kids, NEPA Inclusive, Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services, Inc., Children’s Service Center, Catherine MacAuley Center, The ARC of NEPA, Rural Health Corporation of NEPA, Miller/Keystone Blood Services, and Maternal and Family Health Services, Inc. For more informavisit https://luzfdn.org/cause-posts/covid-19-fund/#covid-form.
The Foundation expects to award the second round of grant within the next two weeks, and the cycle will continue on a rolling basis during the crisis and recovery phases of the COVID-19 outbreak, as funds allow.
The Fund’s purpose is to expand local capacity to efficiently address aspects of the crisis, particularly to those that might be unable to secure resources elsewhere. The Foundation makes grant decisions on this Fund from input from an advisory committee composed of partner organizations and representatives from the foundation, nonprofit, and civic sectors, based on available funds. Organizations can reapply to the Fund as needed.
“We are grateful for the generosity of our partners, fundholders, and donors who have unselfishly contributed to the Luzerne County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. They, along with the nonprofit organizations, health care professionals, and first responders, are our ‘community heroes,’ and we applaud their efforts, says Charles M. Barber President and CEO of The Luzerne Foundation. “The local need is great, and we encourage everyone to donate to the best of their ability. No donation is too small, and it goes directly back into our community to address the most critical needs,” he added.
