Our regional community responded generously to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, all funds given to meet urgent local needs have been disbursed.

United Way created the Disaster Relief Fund last year to strengthen the community’s ability to respond quickly to critical needs. Generous corporate donors provided seed money for the fund.

When COVID-19 struck, United Way activated the Disaster Relief Fund to help feed families, keep people housed, provide emergency childcare when schools closed, provide household essentials, and strengthen the region’s social safety net. The fund raised $1,713,202 between March and June. All monies were invested in local programs and agencies; and investments were informed by the Battle Creek Response Consortium and Kalamazoo County Response Consortium groups. In Kalamazoo, a partnership with the Kalamazoo Community Foundation’s Community Urgent Fund multiplied resources and impact.

“Having the Disaster Relief Fund already in place, along with solid partnerships across the region, made a huge difference in helping our community respond to the pandemic quickly and effectively,” said Alyssa Stewart, Vice President for Impact & Engagement. “We’re deeply grateful for the generous donors who helped us establish the fund and those who contributed when the need arose.”

While fundraising for COVID-19 response is ending, donors can still give to the Disaster Relief Fund to make sure it’s ready to tackle the next crisis. Also, United Way is already working alongside local partners to assist with the community’s long-term recovery and rebuilding.

Below is the Disaster Relief Fund’s final pandemic dashboard, including a list of agencies. For more about the fund and pandemic investments, go to changethestory.org/disaster-relief.