United Way Hastings-Prince Edward is allocating the $68,000 they got from the federal government’s new fund that will be used to support seniors in the community.
“Those funds were distributed across Canada based on the population of seniors in each area using StatCan data. Our United Way received $68,000,” explains United Way’s Executive Director Brandi Hodge.
The federal government started a $9 million fund in April, which those funds distributed across Canada based on the senior population.
“The funding is intended to support programs that focus on seniors (55+) impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to respond to immediate, urgent local needs by supporting basic needs such as food, cleaning, and hygiene products including delivery; reduced social isolation, and/or support for community service organizations to maintain or enhance services such as volunteer and staff retention,” United Way explains in a statement.
CARE North Hastings and Bancroft Community Transit will be getting $8,500 and $6,000 respectively from United Way. CARE will be using the money to help with their Meals on Wheels program while BCT will be using it to help offsets the costs associated with their grocery shopping and delivery program for seniors.
Our hot meals are delivered Tuesday and Thursday to their door,” Executive Director of CARE Jennifer Kauffeldt tells the MyBancroftNow.com newsroom. “Our efforts are to keep our seniors home and reduce the risk of infection during this time. Everyone has been most grateful and the community is really pulling together.”
BCT’s Director of Operations Gwen Coish says they project the length of service for the program will be three months, for the $6,000 they’re getting will help with the costs associated with the grocery shopping and delivery program. BCT is also working with CARE and North Hastings Community Cupboard by delivering supplies to their clients.
United Way Hastings-Prince Edward also launched a COVID-19 Response Fund in March and has raised over $50,000 since then. Through that fund, North Hastings Community Cupboard, North Hastings Community Trust, Bancroft Community Transit and CARE North Hastings have received extra funding.