All across America, United Ways are on the frontlines of the response to the coronavirus and its economic fallout. We are in virtually every community in America, so it is not surprising that when this crisis hit, people called United Way for help. We responded immediately to community needs for food, shelter, and health care resources, in coordination with local governments and health officials. In March, calls to 2-1.1 emergency call centers broke records. In our region, calls for help doubled. The greatest request for help? Food. Here in Whiteside County, we are celebrating our 75th anniversary this year. Naturally, we had hoped for a more festive atmosphere to roll out this special year. But what we found instead of a celebration was: One of our greatest challenges ever. Hotels, restaurants, and other venues stand mostly empty across our state, and more than 1,514 workers filed for unemployment in Whiteside County in March. Our small staff knew that reaching out immediately to the thousands of local workers in our county-wide industry would be our first move. We want you to know Ultimately, through generosity of those donors and the United Way Board of Directors, we collected over $60,000 in pledges and cash to alleviate hunger and fill the gaps of - and the pantries of - those who were struggling to the LIVE UNITED pear Unted Way 1943 Like A Rock make ends 2020 meet. Card hospitality distribution is still ongoing and we anticipate it will continue through May. We know our program has been what we did. Our first emergency program, WITHOUT YOUR PARTNERSHIP, launched in a collaborative a lifeline. Other needs we're effort with Royal Neighbors Rock Falls Camp 100, was a delivery program for shut-ins. This program is still ongoing and we and our volunteers are seeing include assisting with rent, payments, mortgage and/or utilities, shelter, mental counseling, transportation. We are working collaboratively with OUR HELP WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE. health and available to deliver paid-for food from grocery stores or with curb-side THANK YOu, EVERYONE. several agency partners to address these needs, which are chang- ing on a daily basis. We are actively seeking donations large and small. As you consider your ability to help, and wonder what you can do, give us a call 815-625-7973. We can help you direct your donation to where it matters most. After all, we've been connecting people to services and bringing restaurants services. Our second program provided gift cards for groceries. LIVE UNITED United Way Launched March 16 at the behest of and aligned with the vision of one of our corporate partners, United Craftsmen Ltd., our COVID-19 Emergency Food Assistance Program has at United Way of Whiteside County served hundreds of households in Whiteside County. We have issued more than 575 food gift cards to workers in need of As ALWAYS, WE STAND READY. help, to date and nearly 40 donors gave us their support. LIKE A ROCK emergency programs to reality since the end of World War II. All across America, United Ways are on the frontlines of the response to the coronavirus and its economic fallout. We are in virtually every community in America, so it is not surprising that when this crisis hit, people called United Way for help. We responded immediately to community needs for food, shelter, and health care resources, in coordination with local governments and health officials. In March, calls to 2-1.1 emergency call centers broke records. In our region, calls for help doubled. The greatest request for help? Food. Here in Whiteside County, we are celebrating our 75th anniversary this year. Naturally, we had hoped for a more festive atmosphere to roll out this special year. But what we found instead of a celebration was: One of our greatest challenges ever. Hotels, restaurants, and other venues stand mostly empty across our state, and more than 1,514 workers filed for unemployment in Whiteside County in March. Our small staff knew that reaching out immediately to the thousands of local workers in our county-wide industry would be our first move. We want you to know Ultimately, through generosity of those donors and the United Way Board of Directors, we collected over $60,000 in pledges and cash to alleviate hunger and fill the gaps of - and the pantries of - those who were struggling to the LIVE UNITED pear Unted Way 1943 Like A Rock make ends 2020 meet. Card hospitality distribution is still ongoing and we anticipate it will continue through May. We know our program has been what we did. Our first emergency program, WITHOUT YOUR PARTNERSHIP, launched in a collaborative a lifeline. Other needs we're effort with Royal Neighbors Rock Falls Camp 100, was a delivery program for shut-ins. This program is still ongoing and we and our volunteers are seeing include assisting with rent, payments, mortgage and/or utilities, shelter, mental counseling, transportation. We are working collaboratively with OUR HELP WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE. health and available to deliver paid-for food from grocery stores or with curb-side THANK YOu, EVERYONE. several agency partners to address these needs, which are chang- ing on a daily basis. We are actively seeking donations large and small. As you consider your ability to help, and wonder what you can do, give us a call 815-625-7973. We can help you direct your donation to where it matters most. After all, we've been connecting people to services and bringing restaurants services. Our second program provided gift cards for groceries. LIVE UNITED United Way Launched March 16 at the behest of and aligned with the vision of one of our corporate partners, United Craftsmen Ltd., our COVID-19 Emergency Food Assistance Program has at United Way of Whiteside County served hundreds of households in Whiteside County. We have issued more than 575 food gift cards to workers in need of As ALWAYS, WE STAND READY. help, to date and nearly 40 donors gave us their support. LIKE A ROCK emergency programs to reality since the end of World War II.