Gilchrist Supports COVID-19 Long Term Recovery Efforts
Community disasters tend to hit the Siouxland region every year, which is why the Gilchrist Foundation has pledged to support recovery efforts, but few have had the long-lasting effects as COVID-19. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, it was difficult to predict how long it would last. Nine months later, the virus has resurged and those affected still need help to recover. The Gilchrist Foundation has given $100,000 to the Siouxland Recovery Fund.
The Siouxland Recovery Fund’s purpose is to support local nonprofits responding to a disaster to help meet short, intermediate, and long-term needs for recovery in the Siouxland area. The fund was activated on March 19, 2020, to aid in recovery efforts for COVID-19. The United Way of Siouxland is the fiscal agent for the fund, which is led in collaboration with a board of directors comprised of 11 tri-state disaster & financial professionals.
Since the fund was established, it has awarded more than 40 grants ranging from $3,000 to $34,350 for this purpose. Some of the recipients include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Siouxland, Center for Siouxland Disaster Response & Recovery, Food Bank of Siouxland, Mary J. Treglia Community House, Salvation Army and more. The full list of grant recipients can be found here.
The impact these monies have made for the Siouxland community has been massive. Some results include:
Boys and Girls Clubs provided 151 members’ families with a $50 gift card to Fareway.
The Food Bank of Siouxland provided 44,748 people with essential grocery items between April and May.
Dakota County Voices for Food provided 4,668 people with 1,278 food boxes.
Heartland Counseling Services provided housing for three homeless people.
Heartland Counseling Services delivered 115 lunches to Living Center members.
The Launchpad Children’s Museum opened its doors back up with additional safety features and sanitizing equipment.
Mary Treglia provided COVID-19 based tutorials and daily informational podcasts in five different languages.
Morningside Lutheran Church expanded food distribution and increased the amount of meat and pantry items.
Nebraska Ethanol partners distributed 300 gallons of hand sanitizer to local nonprofits.
Rejoice! Food Pantry served 203 adults and 119 children from May 19 - June 20.
The Salvation Army multiplied its food pantry efforts and delivered food to shut-ins.
Sioux City Community Assistance served 16 households, including 32 individuals, who had previously been homeless, with Fresh Start Home kits with items from clean towels, microwaves and beds.
Siouxland Center for Active Generations installed four new hand-washing stations, and implemented technology and training to give their senior members a safe place to interact with others.
Siouxland Mental Health Center provided mental health services via telehealth.
The Sunnybrook Hope Center provided boxes of essential supplies to 706 households from March 19 to April 30.
The Warming Shelter sheltered 17 people with COVID-19 symptoms, so they could quarantine themselves.
The Gilchrist Foundation is proud to support these relief efforts and the impact they’ve made. The Foundation’s founder, Jocelyn Gilchrist, was deeply concerned about supporting people in need and was specifically interested in disaster relief. The Foundation was set up to provide incentives and funds to pre-selected non-profit organizations for disaster relief efforts along with those organizations with interests in Wildlife & Conservation and Arts & Public Broadcasting. Organizations designed to aid in disaster recovery are encouraged to apply for funding through the Gilchrist Foundation.