Shuttered businesses. Lost jobs. Bills piling up.
Seemingly overnight the coronavirus made life even harder for Broward residents who were already living paycheck to paycheck.
And as our community works to overcome this far-reaching crisis, the power of local philanthropy is already helping deliver a hand up to people most at risk of falling through the cracks.
Care packages delivered door-to-door in hard-hit Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods are just one example of how nonprofit groups are springing into action to help people who need it the most.
Food, toiletries, cloth masks and grocery store gift cards are among the much-needed supplies included in these care packages. This immediate relief is being delivered to people recently laid off from their jobs, people who are ill, the disabled, elderly residents isolated from vital community services and others struggling to adapt to life under lingering stay-at-home orders.
A collaboration between H.O.M.E.S., Inc. and the Central City Alliance – with support from the Community Foundation of Broward and donations from community partners – has launched this care package program that targets residents in need who may miss out on help from other local agencies.
“People are in need now,” said Katharine Barry, president of H.O.M.E.S., Inc., which promotes economic development and helps residents of lower-income areas become self-sufficient. “We are just doing what we can to help people who are in need.”
Before the current economic crisis, about half of Broward’s workers already struggled to afford housing costs that far outpaced local wages – making it difficult to pay monthly bills and also save for emergencies. For many, a car repair, medical bill or other unexpected expenses threatened to push them into economic despair. And then along came the coronavirus.
Philanthropy that supports more affordable housing, job training, emergency expenses and other efforts to help hardworking residents stand on their own two feet are among the ways Community Foundation Fundholders tackle Economic Independence – one of Broward’s top Issues That Matter.
More support for programs that promote Economic Independence will be key to overcoming the immediate and long-term local effects of the coronavirus. It’s how local philanthropists can help neighbors in need get through this current crisis – and be better prepared for future economic challenges.
Creating an endowed charitable Fund at the Community Foundation, or adding to an existing Fund, is a great way to support Economic Independence for Broward’s residents – today and forever.
To talk about how your philanthropy through the Community Foundation can help Broward during this crisis and beyond, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Nancy Thies at nthies@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
