Valley Partnership Ends Special COVID-19 Fund

Derby, CT December 19,2023 —After four years of unwavering support and positive impact throughout the region, the partners of the Valley Community COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund are proud to announce the successful conclusion to the initiative launched in 2020.

The special fund was started at the onset of the pandemic and was a collaborative effort between the Valley Community Foundation (VCF), the Valley United Way, the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Valley Council for Health and Human Services. It was established to provide swift and adaptable resources to Valley organizations that were adversely affected by the pandemic. These resources were especially crucial for organizations and people disproportionately affected by the coronavirus and its economic aftermath.

“These grants served as a lifeline for numerous nonprofits and organizations, allowing them to continue their critical work in supporting Valley area residents,” said Sharon Closius, VCF’s President and CEO. "The COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund was a beacon of hope during very difficult times and exemplifies the strength of our community when we come together to support one another. We are immensely proud of the positive impact this fund has had on our Valley region."
In the span of four years, the fund awarded a total of 195 grants equaling more than $ 300,000 that went to help everything from area food banks, daycare centers, public safety and healthcare providers, education programs, and many more.
Bill Purcell, President and CEO of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce; and David Morgan, President and CEO of TEAM, Inc., and Chairperson of the Valley Council for Health and Human Services, said a true collaborative spirit defined the fund's success.
"The Valley region has shown resilience and unity throughout the pandemic,” Purcell said. “The COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund is a testament to our collective ability to overcome adversity and emerge stronger together."

“Kudos to another chapter exemplifying the collaborative spirit of our Valley region,” Morgan said. “Not only did this fund respond in real-time to the devastating realities of the Pandemic, but it was equally instrumental in refining our focus on long-term post-COVID Recovery efforts as we strive to put the pieces back together throughout our Valley communities.”

When the fund was created in 2020, nearly 200 area residents and organizations made immediate donations to get it started, and many others supported it during the next three years.

“The Valley COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund provided much-needed support for those requiring assistance during the global pandemic,” said Mike Pacowta, the Valley United Way’s President and Chief Professional Officer. “More specifically, it helped individuals obtain vaccinations as a preventative measure against COVID-19. It served as the right mechanism for the right time.”

The partners in the fund also announced the remaining money -- $10,000 -- was recently distributed in $2,000 grants to five Valley area food banks:

•Seymour-Oxford Food Bank
•Kathleen Samela Food Bank at Christ Episcopal Church
•Salvation Army – Greater Valley Corps Food Bank
•St. Vincent de Paul's Thrift Shop and Food Bank, and
•Spooner House.

“Due to quick turnarounds from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund’s collaborative committee, we were able to get dollars out to where and when they were needed the most,” said VCF Director of Programs, Valerie Knight-Di Gangi. “Four years ago, we started out providing support for food insecurity, so it has truly come full circle to be ending the fund with support for area food banks.”

As the COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund concludes its mission, VCF extends its heartfelt thanks to the fund partners, the Valley organizations that contributed to its success and the many generous donors that made it possible. Although the fund may be ending, the spirit of community and resilience it fostered will continue to thrive in the Valley region.