STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY CAROL WALLER

Got a stimulus check you don’t need? Why not donate it to local citizens and businesses that have been hard-hit by COVID-19?!

That’s the idea behind 5B Strong, a community relief effort.

5B Strong is a donation campaign encouraging those who can do so to donate their stimulus relief checks to the community to help stimulate the local economy, which has been debilitated by COVID-19, and help those who need it most.

One of the organizers is Hailey resident Steve Wolper.

“While reading about the direct and indirect impact on Blaine County residents and businesses from the COVID-19 crisis, I thought one way to raise funds to help those in need was to donate whatever stimulus check I received to several local organizations,” said Wolper.

“It occurred to me that there are many residents who, like me are lucky enough to not need the money for critical expenses. Why not encourage all those, for whom the money is a gift, to donate some or all of this ‘found’ money to those who desperately need it and who will spend the money now and locally.”

Donating all or part of the check will have a greater effect on the economy than just the original donation because of its multiplier effect, Wolper added.

“It’s a painless way to do good and make a real difference. It’s an opportunity for everyone who receives a stimulus check and can afford to share all or part of it to pay it forward,” he said.

Organizations involved in assisting people with stimulus relief monies are:

• Spur Foundation Community Response Fund at spurfoundation.org
• The Hunger Coalition at thehungercoalition.org
• The Senior Connection Meals on Wheels at seniorconnectionidaho.org/meals-on-wheels/
• The Advocates—Urgent Needs Fund at theadvocatesorg.org/shop/donate/
• Wood River Valley Service Industry Relief Fund at gofundme.com/f/wood-river-service-industry-relief-fund
• Blaine County Charitable Fund—Emergency Assistance at blainecf.org.