Kentucky coronavirus relief fund tops $175,000 in six days. How you can help.
A coronavirus relief fund for Central and Eastern Kentucky residents has received more than $175,000 in donations less than a week after its launch, organizers said Thursday.
“Neighbor to neighbor, friend to friend, business to community, that’s how Lexington will get through this,” Mayor Linda Gorton said at a press conference Thursday. “As this crisis has unfolded, with wave after wave of new restrictions, Lexington has answered with wave after wave of kindness and compassion.”
The Coronavirus Response Fund, started by the city of Lexington, United Way of the Bluegrass and Blue Grass Community Foundation on March 13, will give rapid-response grants to nonprofits and other organizations that are helping people that have lost work due to coronavirus-related business closures.
The first grant will be given to God’s Food Pantry this week to pay for 10,000 meals across Central and Eastern Kentucky.
Timothy Johnson, United Way of the Bluegrass president and CEO, said corporate and institutional donors that have donated to the fund include Valvoline, Alltech Foundation, Toyota, Immanuel Baptist Church, Southland Christian Church and the Jenna and Matthew Mitchell Foundation.
But individuals have also given generously, he said.
“$20,000 was raised through text or online giving,” Johnson said.
The total number of people out of work in Fayette County is not yet known. But job losses continue to mount and more help will be needed in the months to come.
In addition to giving money, Kentuckians can also buy a T-shirt to help raise money for the fund, Johnson said.
Kentucky for Kentucky has created two T-shirts to help with fundraising. Proceeds from “United We Stand 6 Feet Apart” and “Team Kentucky” shirts will be donated to the Coronavirus Response Fund.
To donate online go to https://bgcf.givingfuel.com/coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 4:11 PM.
