The city of Santa Monica launched a coronavirus relief fund Thursday as the economic impacts of the pandemic deepen food and housing insecurity in the Santa Monica community.
The We Are Santa Monica Innovation Fund will provide funding to nonprofit organizations and the city to obtain sanitary and medical supplies, provide food and shelter to those in need and support volunteer relief efforts, said city spokesperson Constance Farrell.
“Santa Monica residents are struggling to get by, put food on the table and care for their loved ones,” Mayor Kevin McKeown said in a statement. “Through the generosity of our community, we will support the hardest hit, including local workers and persons experiencing homelessness. The We Are Santa Monica Innovation Fund will help us help each other.”
The fund will be managed through the California Community Foundation (CCF), a 501c3 public charity. Although contributions to the We Are Santa Monica Innovation Fund are subject to the control of the CCF board of directors, the city will make recommendations to CCF on how to distribute funds, Farrell said.
Funds may be distributed to eligible nonprofits, or the city may use the funds to provide services associated with the COVID-19 emergency, she said.
The city may also accept emergency donations. For information on how to make a cash or in-kind donation to the city of Santa Monica for a particular use, please contact Tim Dodd at tim.dodd@smgov.net.
Residents who would like to donate their time to coronavirus relief can volunteer with Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army, All Together L.A. (formerly Santa Monica Helpers), Kaiser West L.A. or Venice Family Clinic.
Meals on Wheels and Kaiser West L.A. are in need of volunteers to call clients and patients from home, and the Salvation Army, All Together L.A. and Venice Family Clinic are looking for volunteers who can pack and distribute food, medicine and toiletries in person.
People who can donate extra food, cleaning supplies or personal protective equipment are encouraged to contact The People Concern, St. Joseph Center, Meals on Wheels, CLARE | Matrix, Upward Bound House, Venice Family Clinic, Providence St. John's Health Center or UCLA Health.
madeleine@smdp.com
