WYRZ.org 98.9 WYRZ – The Voice of Hendricks County
Duke Energy Foundation and Hendricks Power Cooperative have asked the Hendricks County Community Foundation (HCCF) to activate the All In, Hendricks County Rapid Response Fund to support human services organizations and the individuals and families they serve who are affected directly and indirectly by the COVID-19 coronavirus. The All In, Hendricks County Rapid Response Fund was named in coordination with Visit Hendricks County’s new focus on the positive things happening in Hendricks County–we truly are All In, Hendricks County together.
The Rapid Response Fund will be launched with a $24,000 donation from the Hendricks County Community Foundation along with $5,000 each from the Duke Energy Foundation and Hendricks Power Cooperative. The Community Foundation is currently seeking donations from other organizations and individuals to support the fund.
As part of the launch of the fund, $23,700 in COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants were made by HCCF on March 20 to the following organizations:
- Family Promise/Stability Builders Network – $10,000
- Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition – $2,500
- Hope Healthcare Services – $1,500
- HRH YMCA – $1,500
- Meals on Wheels Hendricks County – $2,200
- Hendricks County Senior Services – $1,500
- Sheltering Wings – $1,500
- Susie’s Place – $1,500
- Sycamore Services – $1,500
“We are pleased to partner with Duke Energy and the Hendricks County Community Foundation to initiate this effort,” said Dana Cochran, Director of Marketing and Member Engagement at Hendricks Power Cooperative. “While both utilities are working diligently to make accommodations for our consumers, we also know there are greater immediate needs during this time. We are hopeful that other organizations will follow suit to help create a stronger sense of stability for our entire community.”
Community leaders recognize the potential for economic impact, particularly for workers in jobs in the service and hospitality industries, is high. Organizations that serve populations in need every day will find themselves under-resourced to serve a growing demand for those services.
“These are uncertain times and Duke Energy wants to support our friends and neighbors,” said Jean Renk, Manager of Government & Community Relations at Duke Energy. “The Hendricks County Community Foundation has a critical role in our community and I am so happy that we can work with Hendricks Power to jump start this fundraising and grantmaking effort.”
In addition to the All In, Hendricks County Rapid Response Fund, the Community Foundation is launched a survey of direct service organizations to identify critical needs, resource gaps and the best approach to disseminating the emergency funds with the appropriate sense of urgency. Given the evolving nature of this situation, the fund will be designed to be flexible and efficient in quickly getting funds to organizations serving those in need in the weeks ahead.
“The Community Foundation feels an obligation to respond to the effects of this pandemic on our neighbors,” said William Rhodehamel, President & CEO of HCCF. “These organizations are best positioned to help, and this is the first step in meeting the pressing needs of those affected by COVID-19 in our county. We look forward to working with the Duke Energy Foundation, Hendricks Power Cooperative, and others in our community to ease the burden of this health crisis on our residents.” You can learn more about and give to the All In,Hendricks County Rapid Response Fund at our website: www.hendrickscountycf.org.
