ACT for Alexandria, Alexandria’s community foundation, and ALIVE! have both activated a COVID-19 response funds for organizations that support Alexandria’s vulnerable populations.
On its fundraising page, ACT for Alexandria leaders wrote: “Alexandria’s nonprofit organizations are the fabric of our social safety net and essential partners during this public health crisis. As nonprofit organizations respond, they may become financially vulnerable themselves as they scramble to cover the cost of expanding their services or suspend programs and events that generate revenue. As the weeks go on, the hardship on individuals and families will intensify. Many already on the financial edge may be pushed into crisis. The demand for emergency health services, food, rent, utility, and childcare assistance as well as mental health services is anticipated. This is when we will need our service providers the most. Our community needs to ACT NOW to ensure these organizations can help us through this time and in the future.”
Already, residents have contributed more than $27,000.
You can donate here to the ACT Now Fund.
In addition, ALIVE!, which provides food and other emergency assistance to Alexandrians, is seeking monetary donations to support its efforts to provide food to those who may need it. ALIVE! Executive Director Jennifer Ayers wrote on the organization’s website: “We continue to operate as normal, but anticipate that at some point we may advise volunteers to stay home and close programs. We are doing our best to ensure food supplies are adequate and are increasing deliveries to our regular drop off sites while we are able. Donations to support our food reserves are critically important at this time, as we are sending out everything to our regular clients to help them prepare while we are still able to do so.”
Major businesses are also stepping up to help — Virginia American Water and Alexandria Renew Enterprises have suspended water shut-offs due to nonpayment for the time being.
Comcast is making their Internet Essentials service free for 60 days for new qualifying low-income residents and increasing the speed of that service. (Click here for more information.)
