Charities and community groups who have been busy during COVID-19 are eligible for funds through a program between the federal government and the Canadian Red Cross.
The Red Cross will provide funds and training to local groups and businesses hit hard by COVID-19 through the new federal Emergency Community Support Fund. Local chapters of the Red Cross, including the one covering the Flin Flon region, will accept applications for service and assist programs in applying.
“I want to make sure organizations in our northern rural communities are aware of this,” said Beverly Erickson, regional coordinator in northern Manitoba and Flin Flon for the Canadian Red Cross.
“We want to make sure people know it’s out there and how to apply.”
There will be two main streams for funding - a grant program for non-profits and a training and equipment program for disease prevention and transmission stoppage. The first program, focusing solely on groups like food banks, shelters and other non-profits, will provide financial support for services continuing to be needed during COVID-19. The second program is aimed toward registered charities, non-profits and other qualified groups for personal protective equipment (PPE), training on disease transmission and support for frontline personnel. To qualify for the second program, an organization must be delivering services directly to people vulnerable during COVID-19 and meet a series of other qualifications.
The deadline to apply for the funding and program is June 21. Applications can be made at redcross.ca/communityorganizations.
