Athena Baldo – Entertainment Editor
During the crisis of COVID-19, many people have lost their jobs and for some it has been very difficult making money for themselves or their family. Luckily, local nonprofits have made this crisis easier to deal with by giving back to their community. According to Kristin Lynch, the Donor Relations and Legacy Giving Director, West Slope Cares is a Grand Junction-based a donor driven campaign to help rally support for the organizations that are on the front lines of COVID-19 response. The message from these specific donors is that they are in the position to be receiving a government stimulus check but may not need it. Donors are, of course, encouraged to just donate what they think they can and, for some, that may be part or all of that check if that is what they choose to do.
“Western Colorado Community Foundation is the non-profit which holds the COVID Response Fund that the West Slope Cares donations fund,” Lynch said.
One example of the WCC fund’s current work in the community is their support of local virtual food drives. Many people cannot afford groceries for their family and are struggling to support themselves. The local food banks and pantries are making it virtual for people to make donations which will be sent over to the local food banks. People’s donations will be sent over to Food Bank of the Rockies, Community Food Bank, churches and more all over the western slope. Local food pantries in the area are seeing a major increase for food and ask people who are more fortunate than others to donate now and help your neighbor. They are operating a drive-through and mobile delivery to follow the social distancing guidelines. Having a high demand for food, the pantry workers are doing the best they can while in this global pandemic.
“This fund will support a variety of organizations providing services during this time of crisis such as food, shelter and other basic needs to individuals,” Lynch said.
The Western Colorado Community Foundation is responding to the immediate needs throughout the Grand Junction community by directing funding to nonprofits who are helping individuals with their basic needs. The WCC Foundation is working with the city of Grand Junction by establishing a #GJStrong Fund to provide grants to nonprofits which will help provide food, shelter and other basic needs to individuals who are struggling during this global pandemic.
For more information on the Western Colorado Community Foundation visit their website at wc-fc.org or call at 970-243-3767.
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