The Sarnia-Lambton United Way has now distributed 15 grants worth a total of $74,000 from its COVID-19 Compassion Fund.
The latest not-for-profit agencies getting $5,000 each are Huron House Boys' Home and the North Lambton Community Health Centre.
Boys' Home staff are now required on site when residents would typically be in school and funds are needed for additional staffing costs as well as food, personal and cleaning supplies.
The health centre at Forest will use the funds for client transportation to Sarnia for services, home delivery of essential supplies, and for phone cards to continue to conduct all appointments over the phone.
St. Clair Child and Youth recently received $5,000 for virtual crisis counselling for high-risk youth affected by the pandemic.
The Brain Injury Association also received $5,000 which will be used to stay directly in contact with its 200 members via video calls, and offer help with supplies, groceries, and transportation to medical appointments.
The CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) got $4,000 last week which will be used to train volunteers for their Virtual Vision Mate program. They help the visually impaired to navigate stores and maintain physical distancing.
The CNIB said 4,000 people in Sarnia are living with sight loss.
The United Way said the fund is comprised of community donations from those who want to help the most vulnerable in the wake of COVID-19.
Volunteer Board Member Michele LaLonge-Davey is thankful for the support.
"We would not be able to issue these grants without the support of individuals and businesses in our community," she said. "The compassion fund is unique and selfless, as are the donors. I feel we can never thank our donors enough, every donation, no matter the size is impactful."
Donations can be made online at www.theunitedway.on.ca or by calling 519-336-5452.
The United Way board of directors has also approved a $28,000 Venture Grant to the Inn of the Good Shepherd.
Those funds will allow the Inn to assist clients in completing and filing their income tax returns. The Inn says 2,973 returns were filed last year for 2,246 households. That generated $14.7 million in benefits.
-With files from Dave Dentinger
