Centraide Outaouais COVID-19 fundraising already helping those in need
After launching a fundraising campaign in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 26, Centraide Outaouais announced that they’ve already raised over $200,000.
According to a press release issued by Centraide Outaouais on April 8, the organization had already doled out a collective $52,000 to eight community organizations in an effort to help them deal with COVID-19 by hiring extra staff, to purchase sanitary products and to assist the elderly and vulnerable people. The organizations that have been allocated funds include the Centre Intervalle Pontiac, Alliance Alimentaire de Papineau, La Manne de l’Île, Mon Chez Nous and the Maison de la Famille L’Étincelle, among others.
More specifically, the funds are used to ensure that people have access to daily essentials, ensuring that Centraide Outaouais’ community partners are able to provide their services, supporting isolated residents and to provide resources for mental health support.
It explained that the allocations follow a procedure meant to answer the needs of community organizations at the grassroots level and that organizations that apply can receive funds within three days of their request. Centraide Outaouais’ Executive Director Nathalie Lepage highlighted, in the press release, the importance of the regional population’s remarkable solidarity during the crisis. “Community workers are guardian angels for the vulnerable, whose resources for coping with the pandemic are already very limited,” she said. “Not to mention people who have lost their jobs and are turning to our agencies for help.”
But, with concerns that the funds raised will only be able to support community organizations for four weeks, it’s crucial that donations keep coming in. Notable contributors so far have included the Fondation Chagnon ($62,000), the Fondation Jean Coutu ($37,741) and Evolugen by Brookfield ($25,000).
Those interested in donating can do so on Centraide Outaouais’ website –www.centraideoutaouais.com – by phone at (819) 771-7751, ext. 240 or by e-mailing brassardj@centraideoutaouais.com.
