Islanders uniting to assist fellow islanders have provided a bright spot during the COVID epidemic. Immediately following the outbreak of the disease in Washington state, the San Juan Island Community Foundation created an emergency response fund has generated $181,445 in less than eight weeks.
“We know there has been a surge in demand for food, rent, and general financial assistance,” Carrie Unpingco, executive director of the San Juan Community Foundation, said in a recent press release.
According to Unpingco, San Juan County has a 27 percent unemployment rate, that number is predicted to reach 30 percent soon – more than double both the national and Washington state levels.
“It’s clear that critical support will need to be provided to vulnerable residents for months to come,” Unpingco said, adding that the foundation is committed to granting emergency funds quickly where it’s needed most as well as making a concerted effort to ensure funds will continue to be available for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
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