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A fund established by United Way of the Central Carolinas and Foundation for the Carolinas will aid workers hurt financially by the coronavirus pandemic. The city of Charlotte will match funds up to $1 million.

Charlotte’s public and private sectors are stepping up to lessen the economic burden of those impacted by coronavirus.

A community-wide fund to aid those impacted by coronavirus has been established by United Way of the Central Carolinas and the Foundation for the Carolinas. It is officially called the COVID-19 Response Fund. Lending Tree donated $1 million, and the city of Charlotte will match it.  Funds will be administered to the community through nonprofits. Nonprofits may apply for grants, which will be administered by a citizen’s committee of community leaders. The committee will have the option to give grants directly to nonprofits based on need. Further details about available grant applications, as well as the grant process will be made available in the future.

“We are here today to respond to a growing need,” United Way of the Central Carolinas President and CEO Laura Clark said. “This fund will support a range of nonprofits that are serving the people most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Already we see the need. Local agencies and nonprofits are feeling the strain to deal with increased demand in a changing working environment. As the local economy tightens, those without insurance face additional challenges to get the care they need. Workers are asked to stay home, and schools cancelations have caused significant disruption for our children and families. That’s why this fund will assist individuals directly through nonprofits that are helping not just those who get sick, but those who are economically impacted.”

Lending Tree founder and CEO Doug Lebda reached out over the weekend with an offer to help alleviate potential financial hardship locally.

“In the last 72 hours, in the midst of our own company facing a coronavirus crisis, in the midst of what everybody else has going on, I had an idea, and it turned out that Mike Marsicano [president and CEO of Foundation for the Carolinas] had the same idea,” Lebda said. “I have witnessed the most entrepreneurial, get stuff done effort that I have seen in my lifetime in the last three days…now is the time to pull together.” 

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles described the city’s commitment to $1 million as a chance to display government’s true purpose.

“Today is an opportunity to exhibit the real purpose of government, which is to protect the wellbeing of our residents in situations like this one,” Lyles said. “That is why I am so happy to announce that the Charlotte City Council will match $1 million to the Lending Tree generous gift.”

On the Net:

www.helpcharmeck.org

More on the coronavirus pandemic:

First coronavirus cases recorded in Mecklenburg County

Now that coronavirus is in NC, don’t panic, health officials say

North Carolina watchfully prepares for spread of coronavirus

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