COVID-19: Ottawa providing $2.2M for local charities helping vulnerable during pandemic

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London charities working on the front lines during the COVID-19 crisis will have access to almost $2.2 million in federal government aid, it was announced Tuesday.

United Way Elgin Middlesex said it has about $1.3 million to offer and the London Community Foundation said it has about $898,000 to disburse.

Social service organizations have until June 12 to apply for the United Way funds, and the money will be handed out by July 31.

The deadline to apply for funds from the London Community Foundation is July 27, with grants being rolled out throughout the next few months.

The two organizations are working together on the program.

The money comes from the federal government’s Emergency Community Support Fund, initially announced April 21, and is aimed at helping charities and other organizations adapt their front-line services to help vulnerable people during the COVID-19 crisis.

Across London, some charities have been forced to close their doors, while others have had to restrict operations. Both the United Way and the London Community Foundation have raised their own funds to help charities survive and recover from the pandemic.

Priority for the federal dollars will be given to front-line social service organizations providing help to vulnerable populations, including low-income seniors, women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, newcomers, Indigenous peoples and members of racialized communities.

Charities seeking more information can visit the websites of the United Way and London Community Foundation, at www.unitedwayem.ca/covid-19/ecsf/ and www.lcf.on.ca/ecsf.