Centraide of Greater Montreal launches COVID-19 emergency fund

MONTREAL, March 20, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - In light of the current situation around the COVID-19 pandemic, Centraide of Greater Montreal is launching an emergency fund to help vulnerable people from Montreal, Laval and the South Shore who are struggling.

Centraide of Greater Montreal is also part of different crisis units with the regional  public health directorates, cities, elected officials, and other partners to implement concrete actions to ensure that essential needs are met.

"Requests for help to the 211 service are increasing. People are trying to get food, but they can't get supplies or leave their homes. Community agencies have fewer volunteers and have to completely rethink how they work. They have to provide services while respecting social distancing measures to avoid spreading the virus. The bans on public gatherings have disrupted their practices. However, like usual, they are showing a great ability to adapt by finding new ways to reach vulnerable people quickly," said Lili-Anna Pere?a, President and Executive Director of Centraide of Greater Montreal.

The emergency fund will meet two priority objectives:

• Take care of the essentials. Support actions to meet needs for basic necessities:
• Distribute food (from food banks such as those in the Moisson network, to agencies).
• Prepare individual meals.
• Deliver meals (from agencies to people in need).

• Break social isolation. Support front-line community agencies that provide assistance services that are deemed essential:
• Reinforce the capacity of listening services (more phone lines, more volunteers, more equipment) and increase support for vulnerable and isolated people (seniors, people with a mental health problem, homeless people, family caregivers, etc.).

The ultimate goal of the emergency fund is to provide community agencies with resources and tools to respond as quickly as possible on the ground. This is part of an initiative of all Centraide United Ways in Canada to raise donations to cope with the crisis. This money will be raised from across the country and reinvested locally.

People who live in Montreal, Laval and the South Shore are invited to donate to the COVID-19 emergency fund by going to Centraide of Greater Montreal's website at centraide-mtl.org or by texting "COVID" to 80100.

Centraide of Greater Montreal is active in the territories of Laval, Montreal and the South Shore. Vulnerable people who don't know where to turn for help can call 211 or visit 211.qc.ca for referrals to the best resources for their needs. For more information, visit centraide-mtl.org, follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn) or subscribe to our newsletter.

SOURCE Centraide of Greater Montreal