The economic downturn caused by the pandemic has hurt many North Florida families. Some of the agencies that help those families now have some fresh help of their own from the United Way of the Big Bend.
United Way President and C-E-O Berneice Cox said Florida's largest health insurer is providing the funds.
"We presented a proposal to Florida Blue and Florida Blue approved a grant for $80,000 and we're partnering with them to distribute funds and open it up to the 8 county region," Cox explained.
The agencies receiving the money are: Connecting Everyone With Second Chances, Elder Care Services, ECHO, Ability First, 211 Big Bend, Carrabelle Food Pantry, Salvation Army, Taylor County Senior Center and Boys and Girls Club. But Cox said more help is needed.
"So I think there's got to be a reminder to the community that we still need to raise funds for our work that we normally do and increase the funds for COVID-19 as well."
Those ongoing needs include food, rent and utility assistance, wellness checks and other essentials.
