United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region has received grants from Bank of America, CVS Health, KeyBank in partnership with First Niagara Foundation, Marshall & Sterling Insurance, MVP Healthcare, Orange & Rockland Utilities, TD Charitable Foundation, Ulster Savings Bank and Wells Fargo toward its Dutchess Orange Community Strong COVID-19 Fund. Since its inception on March 12, 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the fund has helped more than 50,000 people in Dutchess and Orange Counties.
“We are extremely thankful for the support these businesses and foundations have given to the work of United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region during the past two months,” stated Jeannie Montano, President & CEO of United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. “They join more than 387 individuals who have donated to the fund and to #GivingTuesdayNow $20,000 match. Through these grants and individual donations, over $153,000 has been raised for the fund to help those impacted by COVID-19 in our community.”
Ms. Montano continues, “Every day we are responding to requests for help from nonprofits and healthcare organizations for help they can’t find anywhere else. We’re providing masks for Newburgh residents who are homeless or at risk; more than 33,000 meals to those who might go hungry; PPE, hygiene, cleaning and sanitizing supplies to frontline providers at domestic violence shelters, hospitals, food banks and pantries, and daycare centers; and each week we salute our frontline healthcare workers by providing lunch for a hospital department, rehab center or EMS first responders. Thanks to CVS Health and its foundations, 50 veterans and their families in our two counties will have the ability to pay for prescriptions and hygiene items.”
“We know the need is not going away, even as our community businesses reopen,” concluded Ms. Montano. “We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that those in need in our community will have safe shelter, food, and support thanks to the generosity of these organizations and donors. In addition, we have set up a COVID-19 Community Resource page on our website and a Dutchess Orange Community Strong Facebook Group, where our neighbors and friends can find information and resources. Most importantly, everyone can call United Way’s free, confidential 2-1-1 helpline 24/7 to find the answers they need.”
For more information on United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region and its response to COVID-19 as it responds to the evolving need, by increasing food access, providing PPE, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and keeping families safe, fed, and housed, go to uwdor.org.
