The partner agencies involved in the Akron Summit County COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund today announced the recipients of a third round of pandemic relief funding. 14 organizations will receive allocations totaling $286,000. The relief fund – which was created through a partnership between United Way of Summit County, the City of Akron, the County of Summit, Akron Public Schools, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Summit County Public Health and Job & Family Services – has raised more than $1.3 million.
Of the relief funding announced today, $50,000 will go to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank for food acquisition and distribution during the pandemic. With many Summit County residents facing lost jobs and reduced paychecks due to the pandemic, there has been a dramatic rise in the need for food assistance in recent weeks.
$40,000 will go to Goodwill Industries of Akron to support the production of reusable and washable cloth masks for the community.
“Goodwill and its industrial sewing team are honored to be able to supply face coverings to the community through this award,” said Nancy Ellis McClenaghan, president and CEO, Goodwill Industries serving Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland and Richland Counties. “Since April 6, our 12 sewers and 2 cutters have made more than 11,000 face coverings for various entities and these funds will allow us to make at least 18,000 more. We are very proud to be able to help keep people in our community safe through the use of face coverings.”
$30,000 will be divided equally between Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, and the International Institute of Akron to provide utility assistance to individuals who have been financially impacted by the pandemic.
$25,000 will go to the Battered Women’s Shelter. While stay-at-home orders have helped protect the population from infection, many women who face domestic violence find themselves with fewer places to turn for help. These funds will help the Battered Women’s Shelter meet increased staffing needs and provide continued service during the pandemic.
$25,000 will go to United Way of Orrville to aid its pandemic response efforts. The J. M. Smucker Company, which is headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, contributed $100,000 to the Akron Summit County COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund.
$25,000 will go to AxxessPointe, which provides community-based, primary health care options in medically underserved areas in Summit County. The funds will be used to expand AxxessPointe’s telehealth capabilities.
$21,000 will go to Project Ujima, which is working to distribute baby, household and medical supplies to families across the local community that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
$15,000 will go to each of the three health systems serving Summit County – Akron Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Health. The funds will be used to meet the needs of healthcare providers working at the forefront of the local response to the pandemic.
$15,000 will go to Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities, which provides assistance and advocacy on behalf of senior citizens. Seniors are among those at greatest risk of COVID-19 infection.
$10,000 will go to Stewart’s Caring Place. Stewart’s Caring Place provides free supportive services and programs for individuals and families facing a cancer diagnosis. COVID-19 is especially dangerous for those with underlying medical conditions. Funds will help support the increased need for case management during the pandemic.
As of today, the Akron Summit County COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund has contributed $641,000 to local pandemic relief efforts.
“Everyone in our community has been affected by this crisis in some way,” said Jim Mullen, president and CEO of United Way of Summit County. “We’ve seen it transform our neighborhoods, our schools, our businesses – our way of life. Our focus is to ensure that these funds will go to help those who need it most. Our community is resilient. We will overcome this crisis by taking care of each other, by listening to one another, and by rising to meet the challenges our community faces, together.”