Nonprofit organizations continue to need support, help

Nonprofit organizations are a vital part of our communities that support and help those most at need and at risk. Many of these nonprofit organizations have had to adjust and rethink about how to meet the needs of their clients during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The FRESH Project and local food pantries have had to look at ways to serve their clients by providing food drives, community-supported agriculture boxes and have their clients use their drive through service to receive groceries from the pantries.

• Shawano Area Matthew 25, Shawano’s homeless shelter organization, had to temporarily relocate those needing shelter through the remainder of the warming season and has also expanded its resource days from once per week to offering their services daily.

• Safe Haven, Shawano’s domestic abuse shelter, had to rethink how to continue to serve their families while practicing social distancing. They had to temporarily relocate their clients during the Safer at Home order. Crisis calls have increased significantly since the pandemic started.

• Salvation Army and St. Vincent De Paul are seeing an increase in the number of families needing assistance paying utility bills and/or rent. Due to the length of the pandemic, families are now at risk of being evicted from their apartments.

• The Boys and Girls Club is continuing to service their families by providing them with care packages, consisting of food and hygiene products. They are also providing virtual club activities for their students.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters continues to help connect “Bigs” with their “Littles” virtually and eventually hopes to have them connect in person while using personal protective equipment.

• Bridge the Gap serves families with children who have special needs. Since the pandemic, they have been making a concerted effort to stay connected via phone with the families they serve, offering support and guidance as able. The director fields numerous crisis calls at all hours, a sign of how challenged the parents of children with special needs have become.

The families within Shawano County who need these nonprofit organization services continue to need them, even through the pandemic. The organizations rely on the support of the community to keep operating. They also rely on fundraisers to help keep their nonprofit going. Currently, they are not able to hold fundraising events in person, so they are exploring how to raise funds virtually.

Nonprofits are essential to our communities, and they need our help. If you have the ability to financially support one or more of these organizations, please consider donating directly to the organization of your choice. You also have the option to provide assistance to all local nonprofits by donating to the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund being sponsored by United Way of Shawano County, Inc. at shawanocountyunitedway.org/covid-19-response.

Our nonprofit organizations are also looking for volunteers to help them with their missions. If you would like to help by donating your time, volunteer opportunities and nonprofit organization contact information can be found by visiting unitedshawano.org.

Together we can improve the lives of those within our community who need help and support. You can make a difference. Together we are United Shawano.

Nancy Schultz is the executive director of United Way of Shawano County, Inc.