Delco COVID-19 Response Fund Allocations Top $405K

Max Bennett
Updated ·3 min read

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — The Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund Friday announced six grants of more than $88,000 will be distributed in the fund's eighth round of grant allocations. Among the six grants is a $30,000 grant to establish virtual support groups for first responders, nursing home employees and healthcare providers.

To date, the Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund has secured more than $650,000 in donations thanks to the generosity of many individuals, businesses and foundations.

This week’s grants bring the total amount distributed to $405,010 for 53 frontline organizations. The foundation is making every effort to get funds to the community as quickly as possible, distributing grants weekly since the fund launched.

These grants help nonprofits provide food boxes and gift cards for food-insecure families, as well as diapers, and essential supplies such as cleaning and basic hygiene products. Some nonprofits are collecting personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line workers.

Included in this latest group of grantees is the Philadelphia County Medical Society which has partnered with Springfield Psychological in collaboration with Delaware County Medical Society and Pennsylvania Psychiatric Leadership Council to offer “Helping the Helpers” support groups.

These groups will offer medical providers (doctors, nurses, and frontline medical staff) support in managing stress and uncertainty regarding COVID-19.

The foundation understands that healthcare providers and first responders are struggling. Providing them with resources for emotional support is critical for their overall well-being and for the well-being of the patients they treat.

The following organizations are new recipients of grants awarded from the Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund:

  • Andrew L. Hick Foundation: $10,000 to provide boxes of produce and dairy products to Chester, Chester Township and Upland area residents.

  • Child Guidance Resource Centers: $13,000 for personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies and professional cleaning for their Community Residential Rehabilitation program for adults.

  • Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County: $11,210 for cleaning supplies, a decontamination unit and staff training around best practices in childcare and CDC and DOH guidance for social distancing and cleaning.

  • Community Options, Inc: $2,500 for food, cleaning supplies and PPE to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Irish Immigration Center: $5,820 to provide food and cleaning supplies for immigrants who are not eligible for government assistance.

  • Multicultural Community Family Services: $10,161 to purchase culturally ethnic food and essentials items for seniors in need and to purchase supplemental formula and wipes for families with children younger than one.

  • Nutritional Development Services: $12,924 to supply shelf-stable food to six food cupboards and one outreach center in Delaware County.

  • Peaceful Living: $3,840 to provide virtual services to connect vulnerable adults with disabilities to services needed.

  • Philadelphia Medical Society: $30,800 for support groups designed to provide unity, solidarity and emotional support to assist in promoting the overall well-being of frontline providers.

  • Ridley School District: $10,000 to provide “Grab and Go” breakfast and lunch items for students.

  • SeniorLAW Center: $5,000 for free legal advice to seniors to prevent illegal evictions, foreclosures, abuse, fraud, exploitation, and scams.

This article originally appeared on the Springfield Patch