North Battleford city council was joined by the Battlefords United Way during their online Zoom meeting Tuesday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff) 

By Angela Brown

COVID-19 support

Battlefords United Way gives update of COVID-19 accomplishments

Oct 14, 2020 | 10:04 AM

The Battlefords United Way is reporting it received many phone calls and cards of thanks from seniors the organization helped during the COVID-19 crisis.

“2020 has been an incredibly stressful and confusing year for all of us,” events and campaign coordinator Sharon Mohagen said. “Many of us struggle to keep our families safe and fed. It is a year of uncertainties.”

At North Battleford council’s meeting Tuesday evening, Mohagen said the local United Way distributed 450 Wellness Boxes to seniors unable to step outside their residences due to the potential health risk.

“It is a year of learning, and for many a year of sadness,” Mohagen said. “When the pandemic broke out in March, the Battlefords United Way heard from volunteers that seniors were frightened and lonely. Because of the virus, social distancing was needed, and many were afraid to even leave their homes.”

It was especially challenging for the organization trying to access essential items rationed by suppliers at the start of the pandemic to fill the boxes. Mohagen commended Bee-J’s and Sobeys for helping find a way.

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The local United Way received $31,000 from the New Horizons for Seniors Program sponsored by the federal government for the Wellness Box program.

Since the pandemic started this year, the Battlefords United Way invested in total over $400,000 into the community as a whole. Sixteen agencies and groups benefitted, through supplying extra programs, food items, counselling, as well as services needed for residents.

From this funding, $219,000 was received from the federal Emergency Community Support Fund.

The eligible charities were able to provide food security, shelter, safety, mental health and wellness support, as well as children’s and youth programs, to name a few.

As an example, Mohagen said, Living Sky and Light of Christ school divisions received funding for mobile devices to help youth continue to learn and connect with their peers, their teachers and other support resources.

Many organizations also were offered funding to purchase personal protective equipment as a safety measure.

Funding was also provided for more mental health counselling services in the community.

“By funding and partnering with our community agencies we are able to provide help and hope when and where it is needed,” Mohagen said.

The Battlefords United Way also continues to offer core funding to six agencies.

With October as United Way month, Mohagen encouraged people to make a donation.

She also invited people to take part in the annual Coffee on the Run fundraiser. Businesses and individuals can order a coffee and a muffin for $5 by contacting the local United Way and completing their forms by Oct. 19. Volunteers will then deliver the items Oct. 21.

Mayor Ryan Bater said he remembers at the start of the pandemic the United Way “stepping up in a big way.”

“Thank you for all the effort, not just this year but all the years leading up to this – supporting all these organizations and their great work, adding to the health of our community,” he said.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW