GLCF News: GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response

Give to the COVID-19 Fund

March 2020

A Message from the President and CEO

Greetings!

March actually did come in like a lion – we just didn’t know it – but it’s not going out like a lamb, instead it’s going out like nothing we’ve ever seen before and hopefully never will again.

The world as we know it has changed. In less than 30 days everything, from how we live, work and play, has turned upside down – a worldwide pandemic. So, here we are – now what? Do we curse the darkness? Or do we find the goodness amongst us and applaud the light from the stars above?

For if there was ever a time for more kindness and more gratitude it’s now. Gratitude to those stars that shine brightly every day working tirelessly, at their own risk, to make sure we have what we need at a time when we need it most – from the doctors, nurses, medical staff, and scientists, to the first responders, to the grocers, baggers and janitors, just to name a few. Their stories are heartwarming and yet, sometimes heartbreaking.

Kindness to everyone 24/7/365. Just lending a hand in any way possible to help out and lessen an already heavy burden: a call, a text or email just to check in; a bag of groceries or a script for someone who can’t (and shouldn’t) get out. Whatever – just a little something to make a difference.

Be smart, be safe & be well.

Regards,

GLCF COVID-19 Fund in the News

With $10M, Eastern Bank donates to charities, food banks, establishes loan funds (Eagles Tribune, 3/25/20)

Greater Lowell non-profits among those to receive Eastern Bank COVID-19 aid (Lowell Sun, 3/25/20)

Coronavirus relief: Eastern Bank offering $10 million to support nonprofits (MassLive, 3/25/20)

How to find help and access resources if you're impacted by the coronavirus (Boston Globe, 03/31/20)

GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund (Lowell Sun, 0315/20)

Health Resources Directory (MVM, 0331/20)

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Thurs., Oct. 1

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GLCF News

GLCF Announces New COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation announced that they have established a new fund to help vulnerable communities in Greater Lowell dealing with the COVID-19 virus.

“Due to the rising concern of the impact of COVID-19, particularly on vulnerable populations in our community, such as the elderly, low-income and homeless, we know many want to support organizations that are frontline in dealing with those most critically affected by the virus,” said GLCF President & CEO Jay Linnehan. “The Greater Lowell Community Foundation is starting the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to support the unanticipated needs of those nonprofits serving our community during these uncertain times.”

Learn more

GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

DONATE*

*GLCF will not charge any administrative fees for this fund.

GLCF Receives $100,000 Grant As Part Of Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation’s Commitment To Aid Communities Impacted By The Coronavirus Crisis

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced today that it has received a $100,000 grant from Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation. The grant is part of a $3 million commitment Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation is targeting in financial support to area nonprofits focused on COVID-19 relief. This is, in turn, part of an over $10 million commitment Eastern Bank has made to aid individuals and families, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

The grant will support the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund which supports the unanticipated needs of those nonprofits serving vulnerable populations in Greater Lowell, such as the elderly, low-income and homeless, during these uncertain times.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Community in Action

GLCF's Janinne Nocco - sewing much needed masks for the community.

Mill City Grows - received much needed funds for food resources and cleaning supplies.

Dwelling House of Hope - provided healthy food and cleaning supplies for the elderly.

The Open Pantry of Greater Lowell - supplies for cleaning and sanitizing were provided by the GLCF COVID-19 grant

Life Connections' New Outdoor Sink

Westford Food Pantry - GLCF's recent grant to the Westford Food Pantry was matched by the Westford Community Fund - doubling the impact.

Please tag your photos #GLCFCOVID so that GLCF can share your important work with the community.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Grants

Funded Grants*

Grant requests are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed daily to ensure quick decisions and timely support.

• Life Connections - Outdoor sink, wrapped food, bagged lunch supplies, and sanitizer

• Living Waters Center of Hope - Food items and cleaning supplies

• St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen - Bottled water and paper products for portable food distribution

• Lowell Community Health Center - Sanitizing and cleaning materials

• Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell - morning and afternoon snacks for programs

• END 68 HOURS OF HUNGER (Dracut) - Free lunch and breakfast for Dracut students in need

• Lowell Transitional Living Center - Protective gears and disinfecting materials

• Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Inc. - Food and funds for food distribution operations

• Westford Food Pantry - Additional funds needed to supplement foods not available

• The Open Pantry of Greater Lowell - Protective gear and disinfecting materials

• Cambodian Mutual Assistance Assoc. - Vital supplies of food and antibacterial supplies

• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell - Providing 25 families access to online learning

• Westford Council on Aging - Perishable and non-perishable supplies for elders

• Alternative House - Cleaning items, clorox wipes, bleach, hand sanitizers and supplies

• Virginia Thurston Healing Garden - Zoom video conferencing software for client services

• Billerica Schools Nutrition Services - Curbside Grab & Go student meals

• Mill City Grows - Additional food resources and cleaning supplies

• Aaron’s Presents - Pressing needs for families for food/supply shortages

• The Center for Hope and Healing, Inc. - Providing survivors of sexual violence access to virtual services

• Dwelling House of Hope - Purchase some healthy food and cleaning supplies for the elderly

• Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Inc. - Funding to support the purchase of Ensure for our clients.

• Dignity Matters, Inc. - Period protection to support 150 area women and girls for April, May and June 2020

• The Megan House Foundation - Funds spent on gloves, paper products, cleaning products, alcohol wipes,

• The Wish Project - Emergency operational costs during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Troubled Waters dba Bridge Club of GL - Monitors, food supplies and sanitizing supplies for client services

• Town of Chelmsford - Supplemental food, essential supplies, and relief for the homeless population

• Gaining Ground - Supplemental food, essential supplies, and relief for the homeless population

*These are the grants funded as of March 30, 2020.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund Donors*

GLCF would like to thank the following donors to the fund for their generosity and solidarity.

Able To Serve-New England, Inc.

Mr. George Allen

Ms. Jennifer M. Aradhya

Ms. Leeann Atkinson

Mr. Trevor Bloom

The Blount Family

The Boisvert Fund

Ms. Meg A. Bond

Ms. Patricia L. Coffey

Ms. Heather Curtis

Mrs. Nancy L. Donahue

Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation

Enterprise Bank

Ms. Barbara Estabrook

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund -

Mr. and Mrs. David Emmerich

Foundation M

Mr. and Mrs. William Haddad

Ms. Stacie Hargis

Mrs. Elizabeth Gail Hayden

Mr. Wayne Jenness

Mr. Steven Joncas

Jay & Patti Linnehan

Juniper Networks

Ms. Jessica Lander

Lowell Sun Charities, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. James M. McCloy

Dr. and Mrs. Eric A. Meikle

Mr. Raul Rios

Ms. Rachel Sussman

Ms. Linda Sutter and Mr. Steve Centore

Tomo360

Mrs. Germaine T. Vigeant-Trudel

Westford Community Fund

Women Working Wonders Fund

*Donor list as of March 30, 2020.

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