The Akron Summit County COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund has grown to nearly $1.3 million, thanks to support from local corporations, nonprofit foundations and hundreds of donations from individual members of the public. The fund 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 to support those in Summit County impacted by or fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
And today, the partners involved in the fund announced the recipients of a second round of pandemic relief funding totaling $185,000.
Of the relief funding announced today, $50,000 will go to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank for food acquisition and distribution during the pandemic. As the economic effects of the pandemic continue to play out, many residents have faced lost jobs, reduced paychecks and increased food insecurity.
$45,000 will go toward purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) for local medical personnel. With hospitalizations skyrocketing due to COVID-19 infections, hospitals around the country have struggled to keep up with the need for masks, gloves, gowns and other protective supplies for their healthcare workers. The funds will be divided equally among the three health systems that serve Summit County – Akron Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Health.
$40,000 will go to the Summit County Continuum of Care to support the creation of a quarantine facility for homeless individuals at the Chapel in Akron. The center will provide care and a place to recuperate for homeless individuals who become sick with COVID-19 symptoms, but do not require hospitalization.
“People experiencing homelessness are uniquely vulnerable and more susceptible to illnesses. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the homeless population has created an even more severe public health emergency,” said Mar-Quetta Boddie, Summit County Continuum of Care Manager. “Providing a clean and safe space for homeless individuals experiencing COVID-19 to quarantine, outside of shelters, is crucial to prevent the virus from spreading in our community.”
$25,000 will go to Summit County Public Health and the Summit Emergency Management Agency to provide temporary housing facilities for first responders and hospital workers who are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and want to spare their families the risk of exposure.
“Taking care of those who take care of us is imperative,” said Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro. “Thank you to the United Way and all who supported this emergency fund for this incredible display of community partnership.”
$20,000 will be divided evenly between Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army to provide utility assistance to those struggling to pay their bills.
$5,000 will go to the nonprofit PCs for People Summit County to support the technology needs Akron Public Schools students, who are receiving remote instruction throughout the coronavirus crisis.
In total, the Akron Summit County COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund has allocated $355,000 in support of the local response to the coronavirus crisis.
“The direct impact of this pandemic will likely last for months, and the indirect effect will be felt long after that,” said Jim Mullen, president and CEO of United Way of Summit County. “We will continue to make careful decisions about how to invest these funds so that our community has the support it needs during this crisis and throughout the recovery that lies ahead.”
To donate to the Akron Summit County COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund, visit uwsummit.org/covid-19.