CARTERVILLE (WSIL) -- The first round of grants from the Southern Illinois COVID-19 Community Fund were delivered Thursday morning to nine area nonprofits.
Organizers say the grants come directly from donors within the community, many who donated all, or part, of their stimulus check.
"The stimulus check was unexpected, so we felt like it was a much better use of those funds to help people in the community rather than for ourselves," said Carbondale City Manager Gary Williams, adding that it was an easy decision donating to the COVID-19 Community Fund.
He said he and his wife have been able to work throughout the pandemic while thousands have not. "We haven't been laid off, but there's a lot of people in our community that have that don't have income and record number of people are on unemployment."
The Williams were among the first to kick-off donations to the Community Fund, which awarded $10,000 in grants to area nonprofits.
For Salvation Army Social Services Manager Cami Horn, the grant arrives at a time when she expects an increase in calls for financial assistance.
"Because I think June 1st that hold on disconnects is going to go away and people are going to be behind," said Horn.
Southern Illinois Community Foundation CEO Byram Fager delivered those grants Thursday. He says the organizations receiving the funds help some of our region's most vulnerable.
"Not only is there a need for food and basic supplies but there are people that are struggling with rental assistance or making utility payments or any of that," said Fager. "With this grant today we are focusing on the food and other types of basic necessities that people are looking for."
Horn said, for many, this is the first time seeking financial assistance.
"That's the one thing great about this Southern Illinois COVID Community, it's neighbors helping neighbors, people in southern Illinois helping that are helping those who never thought they would be in this situation," said Horn.
Another round of Southern Illinois COVID-19 Community grants are expected to go out in June.
If you would like help with a donation, you can .
