Food and health care on tap in Cranston

Three Cranston nonprofits on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis are among dozens of organizations getting grants from a special fund created by the Rhode Island Foundation and the United Way of Rhode Island. The COVID-19 Response Fund awarded $1.4 million statewide.

Esperanza-Hope received $13,000 to deliver groceries to disadvantaged families and bagged meals, blankets, masks and personal hygiene items to people who are homeless. The nonprofit estimates the grant will enable it to help hundreds of people while addressing community needs during this crisis.

“This grant is a blessing and will helps us make a positive impact and continue our mission of bringing hope and inspire a positive vision of the future for the homeless and families in need in our community, by providing charitable services during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Wilda Gutierrez, Esperanza-Hope’s president. “Our support for disadvantage families is a way of not only feeding those who are hungry, but also to show kindness and support to those who are feeling the pain of poverty and misfortune.”

CODAC Behavioral Health Care in Cranston received $15,000 to provide clients without access to the internet with smartphones that will connect them to telemedicine and telecounseling.

“Although we are clearly in the middle of a pandemic the likes of which we have never seen before, we are also still in the middle of the opioid epidemic. The individuals that CODAC serves who are working hard and courageously to heal from this opioid use disorder, rely on not just medicine, not just counseling but also the support,” said Linda Hurley, CODAC’s president and CEO. “The isolation that is going hand in hand with slowing down the pandemic is a severe challenge to that healing. These phones will allow individuals who do not have telephonic access to be able to participate in counseling, in support groups, in reaching out to family members.”

AccessPoint RI of Cranston will use its grants to maintain its services to over 800 adults, seniors and children with cognitive, medical and behavioral needs.

“We are grateful for all who have supported the Fund as the need for assistance has been surging all over Rhode Island. As Rhode Island’s community foundation, we are trying to build this fund to support those in need. The combination of the health impact and economic impact has brought us to the point now where it will take more resources to continue to provide help to people across the state,” said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.

In addition to Esperanza/Hope, AccessPoint and CODAC, other recipients include the Housing Network of Rhode Island, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, St. Elizabeth Community and Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice. They are among 51 nonprofits that received grants ranging from $10,000 to $75,000.

“When we first launched this fund in March, we asked the nonprofit community what they needed most, and they answered: cash assistance, medical equipment and food. Eight weeks later, we are receiving even more urgent requests,” said United Way of Rhode Island President and CEO Cortney Nicolato. “While we are seeing some positive signs in Rhode Island, and we appreciate every single donor who has stepped up to date, we have a long way to go to recovery. Continued support of the COVID-19 Response Fund is as critical today as ever.”

Donors have already contributed $8.3 million to the COVID-19 Response Fund. New gifts can be made with the Foundation at rifoundation.org/covid19response or to United Way at uwri.org/covid-19-resource-center/. Donations will be accepted as long as the need continues.