COVID-19 Response Fund: Week 5 Updates

Thank you

for joining the fight

for the health, education

and self-sufficiency

of every person

in Blount County!

To our donors, partners, volunteers & friends,

"During times of uncertainty and crisis, the United Way steps up when our community needs us. That is why United Way of Blount County's board made the decision to set aside $45,000 to start a COVID-19 response fund here. We knew individuals and families would have a tougher time feeding their children, paying the rent, and keeping the lights on because of the effects of COVID-19. In just five weeks, individuals and companies in Blount County have stood beside us and collectively donated over $145,000 to our relief efforts. It makes me very proud to live and work in Blount County now more than ever. We are so thankful to these donors who have made it possible to meet not only emergency needs, but needs that will come in the weeks and months ahead. We are united together and we will be stronger on the other side of this pandemic." --Jennifer Wackerhagen, President & CEO

UWBC has awarded 15 COVID-19 Response Fund grants and is continuing to accept applications. Agencies that have received grants are as follows:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee – virtual outreach and mentoring for participants

Blount County Habitat for Humanity – homeowners escrow assistance

Boys & Girls Club of Blount County – extended service hours support

COMPASSion Counseling – telehealth therapy services

Family Promise of Blount County – transitional housing rent

Gate – Gateway to Independence – telecommunication programming

Good Neighbors of Blount County – rent and utility assistance (two grants have been awarded)

Helen Ross McNabb Center, Inc . – basic financial assistance for Firm Foundations clients

Helen Ross McNabb Center, Inc . – telehealth support and phone cards for mental healthcare services

LTVEC - Birth-to-Three - tele-intervention support services

New Hope Blount County Children’s Advocacy Center – telehealth therapy services

Salvation Army - gas cards, food pantry support and hot meals

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee – food to support local pantries

Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service – meal deliveries for seniors

We'd like to thank the following businesses and organizations for their generous donations and grants, allowing us the opportunity to help the agencies listed above.

And we couldn't do any of this without the following individuals who have donated to this fund as well. Thank you for supporting our efforts to help our friends and neighbors who need us.

Give Today

To donate to the COVID-19 response fund, please click the button above. Checks can also be mailed to the United Way of Blount County office at 1615 East Broadway Avenue, Maryville, 37804. Please make checks payable to United Way of Blount County, and write “COVID-19 Response Fund” in the memo. And don't forget... 100% of your donation will go directly to the fund!

For more information on applying for a grant, email Wendy Wand at wwand@unitedwayblount.org.

To view a list of resources for anyone who's been furloughed

or laid off, click here .

To stay updated on social

service resources, join our Facebook group here.

The 2020 Census is happening now. You can respond online, by phone, or by mail.

This count, which takes less than 10 minutes to complete, determines how federal funding dollars flow into Blount County for the next 10 years. This is more than a population count. It's an opportunity to shape the future of our community.

Click here to participate today.

As we look ahead to our special events lineup, we have made the decision to postpone our 27th Annual Golf Tournament, which was originally scheduled for June. Please mark your calendars with the new date -- Monday, August 3. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.