United Way grants $17,000 to Dunn County Nonprofits

Five area nonprofit organizations received grant funding from the United Way Disaster Relief Fund, a partnership with the Community Foundation of Dunn County.

Seventeen thousand dollars was distributed between The Bridge to Hope, Feed My People Food Bank, Positive Alternatives, Stepping Stones of Dunn County and Wednesday’s Table. United Way had also provided Adoray Home Health and Hospice a $12,500 grant to purchase Ipads for residents so they could stay connected with their families during the Safer at Home order issued by Governer Tony Evers on March 25, 2020.

The Bridge to Hope was provided $5,000 to support an adjustment in programming to better serve residents and victims of abuse during the pandemic, as well as compensate for the increase of food expenses resulting from growing need in the community.

“During these uncertain times, we are working hard to make sure that victims know that we are still open; we are taking precautions, but our services have never wavered. Our community depends on us. We are grateful for the caring folks like you and your neighbors who have shown your support in so many ways, from dropping off hand-sewn masks to sending donations,” Executive Director Naomi Cummings wrote. 

This past month The Bridge to Hope has established an emergency fund to help victims who have been impacted by Covid-19 so they can stay safe. These have included:

• $55 for a tract phone so a victim could call out for help and assistance

• $320 payment to the Clerk of Courts for a Guardian ad Litem fee so a mother could safely keep her kids with her, rather than their abusive father

• $500 to a hard-working mother who had been laid off her job and unable to pay her utilities fees

• $584 for a mother of an infant to pay first month’s rent and leave an abusive partner

“So many of us miss our family members in this time because of social distancing, but for many victims, there is no family to turn to.  They look to us to be their safety net.  We can do that, but only because of you and the support of our community.” -Naomi Cummings

Feed My People Food Bank was given a $5,000 grant in support of its Crisis Outreach Program. These funds will provide a 25 percent discount on all grocery orders for hunger relief programs in Dunn and Pepin counties over a span of 8-12 weeks. Feed My People serves 20 programs in Dunn County and six in Pepin County.

Feed My People Pop-Up Food Pantries are free grocery distribution events available to you and your family. Pick up groceries right from your vehicle at our next Pop-Up Pantry near you. Receive non-perishable food, produce, dairy, meat, and some non-food items. No ID is required. Patrons may pick up for another household if they are unable to attend on their own.

“The volume of food going out the door this spring has broken records as we work to make sure every child, family, and senior gets the food they need during the COVID-19 outbreak,” Executive Director Emily Moore said. “We are responding to the increased needs of those experiencing food insecurity by pre-packaging food and providing more of it to 20 hunger-relief partner programs in Dunn County. The Community Foundation of Dunn County’s support of Feed My People’s ongoing crisis outreach program means together we are putting meals on tables and making sure no one goes hungry during this time of great need.”

Locations and days/times available for pickup: 

AUGUSTA: Augusta Senior Center – parking lot (616 W Washington St)
Every fourth Tuesday from 1:45 – 2:30 PM.

CADOTT: St. John’s Lutheran Church – parking lot (215 E Seminary St)
First and third Tuesday during the month of May from 3 – 4 PM (next Pop-Up is May 19)

EAU CLAIRE: The Brewing Projekt – parking lot (1807 N Oxford Ave)
Every third Wednesday from 2 – 3 PM.

EAU CLAIRE: Lakeshore Elementary – parking lot (711 Lake Street)
Every Friday from 2:30 – 3:30 PM

ELEVA/STRUM: Eleva/Strum School – parking lot (W23597 Hwy 10, Strum)
Every second and fourth Tuesday from 12 – 12:45 PM.
(Note: Second Tuesday will only have non-perishable groceries.)

FAIRCHILD: Fairchild Community Center – parking lot (121 Farmer St)
Every fourth Tuesday from 3:30 – 4:30 PM.

FALL CREEK: St. James Trinity – parking lot (305 S State St)
Every first and third Wednesday from 3:30 – 4:30 PM.

Positive Alternatives Inc. acquired a $1,000 grant to help with expenses that have incurred in response to the Department of Children and Families request for their facilities to remain open and continue to accept youth in need of housing. The group home remains open 24/7 throughout the pandemic and continues to provide basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter to their youth. 

“Positive Alternatives is honored to receive support from the Disaster Relief Fund. At PA, we serve youth in our group homes who are experiencing mental health concerns, alcohol and drug abuse issues, or a family situation requiring an alternate place to live. We are faced with the immense challenge of helping the youth with their education, which is now online, and facilitating family visit and therapy all in an online environment. Thanks to the Disaster Relief Fund for your support as PA serves our residents and their families through this challenging time.” -Kelli Kamholz, President/CEO

Stepping Stones of Dunn County received $5,000 to assist with an increase in programming needs including food pantry distribution, extended shelter stays for the homeless and reverting to a hotel/motel-style stays to accommodate residents and help with financial assistance for basic needs such as rent, gas, utilities and uncovered medical expenses. Kris Pawlowski, Assistant Director and Food Pantry Coordinator said there have been additional costs to switching to curb-side pickup such as canopies to protect food and volunteers, thousands of boxes and bags, and protective equipment like gloves, masks and sanitizing products.

“Our response to the COVID-19 crisis and the State’s Safer at Home Order had to be rather swift which meant totally changing the way we distribute food,” Kris Pawloski, Assistant Director & Food Pantry Coordinator explained. “We now have curbside pick up four days a week and a steady crew of volunteers who pack shelf stable food, fresh produce, bakery and frozen items on a daily basis. We have been seeing a significant increase in first time food pantry clients and continue to see previously registered clients each curbside pantry day. Donations like those from the United Way are helping us cover unexpected costs.”

Wednesday’s Table, an entity of the CFDC, was granted $1,000 to support an increase in food expenses. Each person is currently receiving a take-out container with four ounces of meat, one or more vegetables and fruit. Cindy Hoeflein of Wednesday’s Table said this grant allowed them to increase the amount of protein in their meals and extra fresh fruit. Each car will get a bunch of bananas one week and a bag of oranges the next. A large box of raisins was provided to each car last week.

“These are items that most families just do not have money for in their budget,” Hoeflein said. Hoeflein added that Wednesday’s Table continues to serve well over 100 people, but are now seeing more younger families and less seniors.