United Way Yukon recognized in March the urgency of helping people with urgent needs as a result of the pandemic. Restrictions put in place immediately to minimize the risk of contact with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) meant many people suddenly could not afford basic necessities.
United Way Yukon is working with other non-profits and local governments to help people who are struggling financially. Through our COVID Community Response Fund we have purchased $25 gift cards that can be used to purchase a range of supplies. This is an effective way to show some Local Love in a Global Crisis.
Local Love in Action
As of June, we have helped over 185 people meet their urgent needs with dignity. For example, we partnered with the Yukon University Foundation to provide cards to about 50 students who lost their part time jobs and/or regular access to meals.
We will continue to work with other agencies to identify people who need some support not met by other means. To date we have invested $5,000 in this program and will invest more as funds permit. The $25 Loblaw’s gift cards can be used at Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, Mobil Gas or Wykes’ Your Independent Grocer.
Partner agencies
- Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre … gift cards to clients in need (30 people helped)
- Whitehorse Food Bank … purchased food (about 100 people helped)
- Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition … working with Volunteer Yukon Bénévoles (about 30 people helped)
- Yukon University Foundation … gift cards to students (50 people helped)
Thank you for helping
- Bruno Bordache (Volunteer Yukon Bénévoles)
- Carole Lagace (Whitehorse Affordable Family Housing)
- Dave Blottner (Whitehorse Food Bank)
- Donors to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund (you are awesome!)
- Jay Dobson and Megan Skarnulis (Yukon University)
- Kristina Craig and Kerry Nolan (Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition)
- Mark Wykes (donated $200 worth of gift cards)
- RP Singh (YuKONNECTion)
- Stacy Mitro (Victoria Faulkner Womens Centre)
News
Updated June 11, 2020
unitedwayyukon.ca 