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May 27, 2020
Written by Nicole Angresano, Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.
I have been in my role with United Way for over 13 years, and I’ve got to tell you—I thought I had seen it all. Natural disasters and economic downturns—these are things you prepare for in philanthropy.
But this is different. And it has thrown us all for a loop. The loneliness and uncertainly that many are experiencing is very real. Now is a time in which we must find compassion and grace.
By donating to United Way, you have trusted us to be the steward of your dollars. For that, I am just really, really grateful. Let me share how some of your dollars have been put to use and how our COVID-19 Urgent Needs Fund has already made a difference.
Your donations have helped United Way provide support and supplies to local organizations that continue to serve our community, including food pantries, shelters, medical clinics, and child care facilities for children of essential workers. In addition to distributing grants to keep folks safely housed and support increased staffing needs, your donations have provided the following critical supplies:
- Over 51,000 ounces of hand sanitizer
- Over 21,850 masks and gloves
- Over 15,000 personal hygiene products
- Over 2,500 cleaning supply products
- Over 13,000 food items
- Over 43,000 food pantry supplies (plates, forks, napkins, utensils)
- Nearly 45,000 diapers and
- 10 hooded antiviral suits
And this is just the beginning. COVID-19 has challenged us all to come up with creative solutions for protecting the most vulnerable in our community.
If you have already donated or volunteered, thank you. If you haven’t had a chance or are able to dig a little deeper, I ask you to consider a donation to United Way’s COVID-19 Urgent Needs Fund.
Our community will feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for months, if not years, to come. And it will take all of us working together to help our community recover.
Thank you. Stay safe. Say well. Stay United.