April 13, 2020

Round Two of Response Fund Grants: Press Release

As the virus continues to spread across Delaware County, we are seeing a profound impact on the community. Fortunately, Delaware County is showing up for its neighbors. Thanks to many generous donors, The Foundation for Delaware County has raised $421,000 and counting to date for the Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund. And as of today, the foundation has given out nearly $150,000 for emergency relief.

Today, the foundation announced the second round of funding with $75,300 distributed to 13 organizations. “This week, new funds provide support for increased demand at food pantries, homelessness services, grocery store gift cards for food-insecure families, and technology equipment vital to maintaining services,” said Mike Magnavita, Chair of the Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund and President of the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union. “We are in awe of the nonprofit employees and volunteers across the county – essential workers on the frontlines, bravely serving their community in this time of great need and uncertainty.”

According to foundation president, Frances Sheehan, “As needs continue to grow, we know it’s going to take all these resources and much more to address the emergent issues, especially among populations most in need of support. We are working hard to deploy funding as quickly as possible and will continue to announce new grants each week.”

While there is a great sense of urgency right now, the effects of this pandemic will be long-lasting and the foundation is here for the long-term. The Foundation for Delaware County asks everyone to support the county’s increasing emergency needs with a gift to the Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund. 100% of your donation will go directly to vulnerable communities. No amount is too small.

Second round grantees from the COVID-19 Response Fund include:.

CASA Youth Advocates: $10,000 to purchase gift cards for groceries and emergency transportation, diapers, baby wipes and formula as well as cleaning supplies for CASA children.

Chester Community Coalition: $1,300 to purchase telehealth software to continue to provide therapy and manage secure communications.

Chester Eastside: $7,000 to purchase food and essential items to maintain service delivery for their pantry.

Cityteam: $10,000 to distribute emergency food boxes, diapers and formula to guests in need.

Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc.: $10,000 for homelessness services that include providing emergency hotel placements for homeless residents, food and essential supplies in homeless shelters.

Family and Community Service of Delaware County: $10,000 for fourteen food pantries to provide home delivery of food boxes to low-income households in the county that are quarantined due to COVID-19 symptoms and residents with underlying health conditions.

Family Support Line of Delaware County, Inc.: $7,500 to supplement technology needs so that forensic and clinical staff can continue to provide support to child victims of sexual abuse and their families.

Grace Court, Inc., a community of HumanGood East (f/k/a Presby’s Inspired Life): $1,000 for gift cards to grocery stores for low-income seniors and people who are disabled in Yeadon.

Keystone Human Services: $1,500 to purchase essential supplies to care for individuals with intellectual disabilities in one of eight dedicated homes in Delaware County.

Kisses for Kyle Foundation: $5,000 for gift cards to grocery stores and essential supplies for families in Delaware County battling pediatric cancer.

Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA): $3,000 to provide nutritious, shelf-stable meals, in addition to regular deliveries, for individuals who face life-threatening illness and have complex diets in Delaware County.

Service Corps of Retired Executives Association: $5,000 to develop and communicate critical training on Resilience and Recovery Plans for nonprofit clients (e.g., navigating long-term uncertainty and aftermath of disruption, technical strategies for success, communication skills and essential PR tools).

The Peggie & Paul Shevlin Family Foundation: $4,000 to provide food, groceries and other essential supplies to recovery houses in Delaware County.

The Foundation for Delaware County asks everyone to consider making a donation today – or pledge a monthly recurring donation – to support organizations that are vital to Delaware County.

Our deepest gratitude goes out to everyone for digging deeper during these emotionally and financially stressful times including these donors each of whom gave at the $5,000 level or more:

Bank of America, Barra Foundation, Boggs Family Fund, Dietrich W. Botstiber Foundation, Crozer Keystone Health System, Carol and Daniel DuPont, DO, Ed and Ellen Hanway, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, Gallagher, Mike and Sofia Magnavita, Park Power, PECO, PFM, Joan Richards, Scholler Foundation, Nathan Speare Foundation, Lynne Steuerle Fund, Kate and Brian Zidek.

Please contact Ellen Grill at 610-744-1015 or egrill@delcofoundation.org to inquire about how you too can support the Delaware County COVID-19 Response Fund.