$50,000 Goal to Rebuild COVID-19 Relief Fund
Since March Nearly $180,000 has Helped Community Members
In conjunction with GivingTuesday on December 1, 2020, WAGAP announced that it is setting a goal to raise $50,000 by the end of the year to assist community members in need. The COVID-19 Relief Fund was created in March to help pay essential bills for Skamania and Klickitat County community members who have been affected by loss of a job, or a reduction in work hours, as a result of the economic impacts of the pandemic.
“Many people are in need this year and WAGAP is here to help,” said Leslie Naramore, Executive Director of Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP). “Our work is made possible by the generosity of our community members who support our programs through sharing their time, talents and resources to help others.”
According to Jan Pearo, Director for the Energy Assistance Program at WAGAP, nearly 150 households that have been hit with job losses and reductions have been assisted with up to $5,000 per household in financial support for things such as rent or mortgage payments, car payments, medical bills, utilities, cell phone and internet access.
In the nine months since the Coronavirus outbreak first began in Washington State, the WAGAP COVID-19 Relief Fund has managed to put nearly $180,000 in discretionary funds back into the communities in both counties. The nonprofit was able to secure $100,000 from the Group Health Foundation, combined with nearly $80,000 in private donations from local individuals and organizations. But, with the ongoing pandemic, these funds are now nearly depleted.
“Keeping households financially stable is essential to the health and security of families, including young children,” said Kirsten Poole, Director of Programs for Peaceful Living (PFPL). “It is especially vital this winter, as we all need a roof over our heads and a warm, safe space to be socially distant,” she added. PFPL provides domestic violence and sexual assault services and prevention efforts.
In a paper published earlier this year, “Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse Considerations During COVID-19” by the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “COVID-19 has caused major economic devastation, disconnected many from community resources and support systems, and created widespread uncertainty and panic. Such conditions may stimulate violence in families where it didn’t exist before and worsen situations in homes where mistreatment and violence has been a problem.”
With a potential vaccine delivery expected at some point in the new year, there is much for society to look forward to as it moves into 2021. But the economic situation for many will not change quickly, especially over the winter months, said Gorge Economist Scott Bailey with the Washington State Employment Security Department. He explained further, “Industries such as leisure and hospitality are expected to continue to suffer high unemployment rates, hitting the lower wage workers the hardest. Special federal unemployment assistance programs will also be phased out on January 1, leaving the long-term unemployed particularly vulnerable. So, for now, their need for support is growing.”
“We are so grateful for all of the time and donations that our community members have given to this effort to date,” Naramore said. “We ask, if you are able, please consider donating any amount possible so that we can continue this important program of neighbors helping neighbors.”
Contributions can be made online at https://www.wagap.org/donate and donors are asked to designate the COVID-19 Relief Fund by typing it in the “Note:” field. Donations by check should also have “COVID-19 Relief Fund” clearly marked on the memo line and can be accepted at your local WAGAP office in Stevenson, Bingen, or Goldendale during regular business hours. Because offices are closed to the public due to Safe Start orders, donors are asked to knock at the door. Donations can also be sent by mail to WAGAP at P.O. Box 805, Bingen, WA 98605.
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and their world. GivingTuesday will kick off the generosity season this year by inspiring people to give back on December 1, 2020, and throughout the year.
Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities address basic human needs, including food security and energy assistance in Klickitat and Skamania Counties. For more than 50 years, the organization has offered support services to help people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org or, for additional information, contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or email info@wagap.org.