When the Innisfil Community Foundation was established last year to support local charities, it's safe to say they had no idea that support would come in the form of COVID-19 grants.
In April, the group committed $50,000 in grant money for pandemic relief for local charities.
“They’re transitioning to trying to provide some of their services virtually, counselling services and that kind of thing," said Anne Kell, a foundation board member.
So far, the foundation has supported Candlelighters Simcoe, Ontario Parents Advocating for Children with Cancer (OPACC), Christmas for Kids (all year round), the RVH Foundation, Independent Living Services of Simcoe County and Area, Matthews House Hospice and Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka.
Kell said groups like Candlelighters Simcoe and OPACC are helping their regular clients with added expenses.
“They had an increased demand for families trying to pay for food and personal needs,” she said, noting that goes beyond their traditional services.
Fundraising presents another challenge for charities.
“Even our Rotary club is finding that,” Kell said, wearing her president of the Innisfil Rotary Club hat. “We had two or three fundraisers over the next few months and, of course, they are all cancelled or on hold right now.”
When restrictions ease and these events are permitted to happen, Kell wonders how eager people will be to donate.
“Are people going to be in a position to support that fundraiser, or are they more concerned about using their funds to get by every day?”
Andrea Roylance, director of gifts and gratitude at Matthews House Hospice in Alliston, said the organization has experienced a downturn in memorial donations since people can no longer gather for funerals or celebrations of life. Innisfil residents make up 11 per cent of Matthews House clients.
"The government has been helpful in certain cases, but non-profits do need more help with long-term funding for next year," she said, adding she believes 2021 will be tougher for charities as people get accustomed to not donating like they have previously.
Despite the challenges, the hospice has found ways to continue generating cash, as 75 people participated in a virtual scotch tasting May 1. The event, which was streamed over Zoom, raised $10,000. The hospice's two main fundraisers, Hike for Hospice and the Butterfly Gala, will also see some changes due to COVID-19.
At the Simcoe Muskoka branch of the Red Cross, transportation services have been cancelled since late March.
In response, the charity has put more emphasis on its telephone assurance program, which aims to address feelings of isolation and loneliness.
“The Red Cross is committed to working with individuals in our communities and continue to evolve our service delivery to address emerging needs caused by COVID-19,” MairiAnna Bachynsky, manager of communications for the Canadian Red Cross, said.
The Simcoe Muskoka branch has complete close to 1,500 calls in the region since March.
— With files from Brad Pritchard
Shane MacDonald, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Barrie Advance
