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WGLT's reporting on the coronavirus pandemic, which began in McLean County in March 2020.

United Way Lands $100K From State Relief Fund To Bolster Meals Program

The United Way of McLean County will get $100,000 from the state’s COVID-19 Relief Fund that will keep its meal distributions running for another three to five weeks.

The United Way has helped distribute 11,000+ meals over the last two weeks, with another 20% increase planned next week. Its augmenting meals being provided by school districts and trying to fill gaps in food access, such as evening meals.  

The need is only growing, said United Way president and CEO David Taylor.

“We’re really going to ask the community to consider what they can do to help sustain this effort and meet the need that’s here,” said Taylor.

Of all the biggest needs in the community, the United Way chose to tackle food access and unemployment first because they were most urgent, said Phani Aytam, a United Way board member. Part of the group’s meal distribution involves acquiring food for evening meals from local restaurants, helping them keep people employed.

To do that, the United Way has raised around $76,000 privately and kicked in $100,000 from its existing budget. Officials say more will be needed.

“Even if there are good things happening from a fundraising perspective, at the end of the day it’s a drop in the bucket because of the humongous need that’s out there,” Aytam said.

A new advisory task force will help guide decision-making about how to spend the money. The group will use its “knowledge and expertise to help identify future needs,” such as rental, utility, or child care assistance, caused by COVID-19, according to the United Way.

Retired State Farm executive Mike Jones is on the task force. He’s also a board member with the Western Avenue Community Center in Bloomington, which is one of around 11 food distribution sites. He said Western Avenue provided around 500 meals this week alone.

Jones said many of his families have lost jobs, or at least seen their hours cut.

“We’re not sure what the demand is going to be in the community when it comes to these other areas, like rent, utilities, child care,” Jones said. “I think it’s going to balloon in the next 30 days or so, as we work our way out of this.”

We’re living in unprecedented times when information changes by the minute. WGLT will continue to be here for you, keeping you up-to-date with the live, local and trusted news you need. Help ensure WGLT can continue with its in-depth and comprehensive COVID-19 coverage as the situation evolves by making a contribution.

Ryan Denham is the digital content director for WGLT.
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