Thursday, March 28, 2024

Spend wisely, and keep it local

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WENATCHEE - As we watch the crisis of Covid-19 unfold across the country and around the world, we see huge disparities between the way that wealthy nations, such as ours, and developing countries are able to respond to the pandemic. Income levels define not only how well people can protect themselves from the virus, but how they can cope with the shuttered economy, the mandate for “sheltering in place,” the ability to feed their families, educate their children, and keep themselves emotionally and physically healthy. Many of us feel fortunate to live here in North Central Washington, where the virus is present but not overwhelming our systems.  
 While we may feel relatively safe here, unfortunately the same disparities exist. The cascading effects of the economic downturn have taken a huge toll on the well-being of our neighbors and fellow community members. Our job at the Community Foundation of North Central Washington is to do all we can to preserve and enhance the quality of life in our region.  Since the outbreak of this crisis we have been regularly communicating with our local nonprofit leaders. We host weekly sector calls that gather those addressing food security, housing, and personal safety.  We keep in touch with nonprofits that are here to bring meaning to our lives: the arts, education, social services, and environmental and animal welfare.
 We have learned that our neighbors need our help. People have lost their jobs in record numbers, domestic violence is on the rise, and many are struggling to keep their homes and put food on the table.  We are heartened that the federal government is offering stimulus checks to help families in these circumstances, but we know it won’t be enough.
 We also know that some people who receive a stimulus check may find themselves fortunate enough to have a steady income and can maintain their quality of life.  If you are one of these fortunate few, we ask you to consider how you might use your stimulus check to help our community recover. If you didn’t receive a stimulus check, but have the ability to make charitable donations, consider how you might direct those charitable dollars during this crisis. 
 We ask you to keep those dollars local. The money from the federal government is meant to stimulate the economy, so please use it to stimulate OUR economy.  Spend it at your favorite locally-owned store or restaurant, buy your produce at the farmers market, or make a donation to your favorite local charity.  If you don’t have a favorite charity, but you want to help, consider supporting the Helping Hands Grant program at the Community Foundation.  Every two weeks we review requests for assistance from a broad spectrum of charitable organizations and provide them with the critical funding they need to help our most vulnerable populations.  We also provide much needed support to nonprofits that have had to close their doors or cancel their events to adhere to public safety guidelines.  
 We believe that after this crisis, North Central Washington will once again enjoy the tremendous quality of life we have come to appreciate: a plentitude of creative small businesses and restaurants, fantastic arts offerings, world-class outdoor recreation, and top-notch healthcare and human services.  Whether or not this hope becomes the post-Covid reality is largely up to you.  Spend wisely, and keep it local.

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