WC Texas News

STEPHENVILLE – The Erath County United Way has launched an Erath County COVID-19 Community Response and Relief Fund, with plans to match community donations up to $25,000.

“We understand that COVID-19 has disrupted lives in our community,” Staci King, Erath County United Way president, said. “As an organization whose entire mission is to mobilize community resources to help people improve their lives, we feel it is our duty to work proactively to raise funds for those in this emergency situation.”

The program will not provide money directly to any individuals, according to the Stephensville Empire-Tribune. Instead, the fund will work with local agencies and organizations that can provide assistance and support to community members.

“As the long-term impacts unfold, we will continue to work with our partners to assess and evolve our funding strategies,” King said.

As of April 20, Texas reported 18,923 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 477 deaths. Erath County has 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The process by which money from the fund is distributed to local partners will be overseen by United Way’s Community Impact Committee.

Donations to the Erath County COVID-19 Community Response and Relief Fund can be made at erathcountyuw.org. There is a yellow “Donate” button at the bottom of announcement about the fund on the front page.

According to the announcement, the areas the fund will help to provide relief in will include, “utility assistance, food vulnerability, housing assistance, and other needs as identified.”

All money raised for the fund will go to the "individuals and families that have been directly impacted by unemployment, reduced work hours, or furlough due to COVID-19,” according to the announcement.

Donations can also be made to the fund at the Citizens National Bank of Texas branch at 2207 W. Washington St., or checks with “COVID19 Relief Fund” in the memo line can be mailed to Erath County United Way, 150 North Harbin Drive, Suite 309.