KEARNEY (Press Release) – Give Kearney Now, powered by the Kearney Area Community Foundation (KACF), is a grassroots effort to support local nonprofits affected by Covid-19. The goal is to help raise funds for local nonprofits who are working on the front lines during this COVID -19 pandemic, as well as those affected due to loss of revenue or an increase in expenses.
Donors can support local nonprofits by visiting www.givekearneynow.org and donating directly to their favorite charities online. There, donors can view the 42 local nonprofits participating in Give Kearney Now. Each participating nonprofit is listed with a link to their organization’s website and donation page.
“We wanted to provide the community a place to go to give to local nonprofits online. Some offices are not open to the public to take donations in person, so this is a safe way to give while we are still social distancing,” said Judi Sickler, President/CEO of the Kearney Area Community Foundation. “We are still planning on hosting our annual giving day, Give Where You Live, in December. But we are finding that some of our local nonprofits are struggling financially due to loss of revenue or an increase in expenses. They need our help now.”
“It’s platforms such as Give Kearney Now, powered by the Kearney Area Community Foundation, that allow donors to support these causes in a safe and secure way. Due to COVID-19 many of these organizations will be unable to partake in their yearly fundraisers which raise most of their annual budget,” said Jasmine Thompson, KACF Marketing Coordinator.
The Foundation is in the business of improving the quality of life in the Kearney area and effectively responding to the community’s needs. Like KACF, other nonprofits in the Kearney area are helping our neighbors in need. Local nonprofits are taking action to provide for those affected in our community.
They are providing food, rent assistance, utility assistance, medicine, mental health, and childcare—and so much more—for people living and/or working in the Kearney area suffering financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Our local nonprofits are assisting those most vulnerable during this unprecedented time.
For instance, the HelpCare Clinic understands they have an interesting role to play throughout this pandemic. Not only are HelpCare patients facing new challenges, but they have begun to serve a number of new patients.
“Our job is and always has been to ensure urgent and emergency resources can be utilized appropriately. We have been able to stand firmly in our mission, providing necessary medical care for our friends and neighbors who are most at risk,” said Becky Kraenow, Executive Director.
KACF would like to encourage donors to support our local nonprofits who are committed to act with fierce urgency to support the people and communities hit hardest by the impact of COVID-19.
“It’s imperative that we come together to maintain and support this vulnerable population. And we’re so blessed to have the resources we do in this community – including platforms like Give Kearney Now that provide an outlet for people to safely and securely act on their passion to serve,” said Kraenow.
Healthcare isn’t the only service local nonprofits have provided our community during this difficult time. The McKenna’s Rae of Hope Foundation has been providing “hope” for our community with Meals of Hope.
“This program was created to provide delicious hot Sunday meals and inspiration to seniors age 60 and up. We expanded the audience to front line workers and delivered meals to hospitals, nursing homes, veterans’ homes and police stations. Over 5,000 meals, as well as mental health tips for dealing with COVID-19, were delivered to those most at risk and those at the forefront battling COVID-19,” said Todd Schirmer, Founder/Director.
For instance, the Kearney Area Animal Shelter is unsure what this fall will hold and are hesitant on whether or not they will be able to hold their largest fundraiser, The Moonlight Masquerade.
“Funds raised during Give Kearney Now will help us continue to abide by our mission: to be a leader in enhancing the human-animal bond by providing pet owner support and homeless animal care for the citizens of Buffalo County and the surrounding region,” said Olivia Derr, Director.
Give Kearney Now allows donors to donate directly to local nonprofits such as these. “Please consider supporting our local hardworking organizations today. Your support helps our neighbors in need during this unprecedented time,” said Thompson.
Give Kearney Now is a community campaign which gives donors a simple, safe and unified way to learn more about local nonprofits and to support them financially now, when it is needed most.
“We know that there are better tomorrows on the horizon. Until then, generous donations to those nonprofits affected by COVID-19 are a great way to give back to your community during these trying times,” said Sickler.
