UPDATE on COVID-19 Response Fund for Branford

The Branford Community Foundation established the COVID-19 Response Fund for Branford on March 18, 2020 as soon as it became clear that this virus would significantly impact our community. The initial goal was to raise $20,000 to provide immediate, short-term financial relief to individuals who live or work in the Town of Branford through the Women & Family Life Center.

As of April 16, thanks to your generosity, the fund has secured $128,611.48. This generosity enabled BCF to not only support financial relief to individuals who live or work in Branford through our partnership with WFLC, but has allowed us to expand the use of the fund to consider needs from additional organizations and programs that serve Branford. The COVID-19 Response Fund for Branford has invested $90,285 for Branford from the COVID-19 Response Fund as of April 21, 2020.

$40,000 to Women & Family Life Center for direct grants to people who live or work in Branford who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 (e.g., an individual tested positive for the virus and can’t work, loss of work or reduced work hours, loss of childcare, need to care for a loved one, etc.). WFLC has supported 57 individuals as of April 17, 2020 with more applications in their pipeline.

$15,000 to Branford Counseling & Community Services for two programs to assist families impacted by COVID-19: $7,500 to purchase gift cards to grocery stores such as Stop & Shop, Big Y and Caron’s Corner; $7,500 for rental assistance.

$10,000 to the Branford Early Childcare Collaborative for their work to support early education providers manage through the current impact of closures due to COVID19 and to prepare for future months of recovery as children and families face re-entry and assimilation back into the routines of school, daycare and work life.

$7,500 to Women & Family Life Center to support increased demand for services coupled with decreased revenue due to canceled programs and events.

$5,000 to the Connecticut Hospice, Inc. to cover a portion of expenses incurred as a result of purchasing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be equipped as an overflow site for area hospitals. Not being a typical hospital that performs surgeries and procedures on a consistent basis, CT Hospice lacked the large quantitates of PPE inventory required to keep patients and staff safe from COVID-19.

$5,000 to BHCare to support increased demand for mental health, substance abuse, or domestic violence services, changes in delivery of services to telehealth clinical services, and reduction of revenue.

$5,000 to VNA Community Healthcare & Hospice to provide PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to nurses who continue to treat patients at home. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, the VNA implemented significantly increased PPE requirements.

$4,500 to the Community Dining Room for to-go containers for meals, which was required for services due to the executive order restricting gathering.

$2,500 to the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter to support the delivery of pet food and supplies to clients who are financially constrained and homebound due to governmental guidelines.

$785 to the Orchard House for the delivery of care packages to home bound clients. The Orchard House has been closed due to government guidelines, yet wants to encourage clients to stay connected and mentally stimulated through this time of social distancing.

BCF is considering applications for funding for the COVID-19 Response Fund for Branford on a rolling basis to provide resources that support our community members to get through this crisis. For more information, email Jennifer Mullett.

Thank you for your support. We are in this together.