STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Blaine County Charitable Fund (BCCF) has issued its first round of assistance for community members who are out of work or near the edge financially.
“With the earliest estimates of federal stimulus funds coming at the end of April, high demand for federal disaster loans and 17 million filing for unemployment, it’s a great time to be able to be responsive to those who have already been a month out of work, who are near the edge, financially,” said the fund’s co-creator Mary Fauth.
The fund has received a $10,000 matching grant, thanks to an anonymous donor and the help of Sheila Lierman. Donations made with the note of HOPE will be matched up to $10,000. Donations can be made at www.blainecf.org or through venmo@blainecf. All of the funds received will be given as grants to individuals whose applications have been approved for financial assistance.
“With the numbers our local agencies are reporting and the fallout created by months of business closures and job losses affecting the Blaine County community, we anticipate hundreds of thousands of dollars will be needed to continue our impact,” said Fauth. “To be able to give individuals an answer in a short period of time gives peace of mind and a sense of security in this unsecure time which could, in some cases, be lifesaving.”
The fund was established in response to the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order. It will provide assistance to individuals living and/or working in Blaine County who are experiencing financial hardship due to this crisis. And it’s intended to be a resource for future unanticipated crises.
The awards are need-based. Access to other resources, such as state and federal programs, savings, available family support and household size will be taken into consideration.
Grants are intended to help with expenses in immediate need of payment that cannot be deferred or negotiated. Among them, health insurance premiums, immediate medical needs, rent, car and insurance payments.
The applications are reviewed weekly by the BCCF Board of Directors—usually on Wednesday.
To apply, visit https://www.blainecf.org/apply