SIH COVID-19 Relief Fund: 18 agencies get $1,000 grants

The Du Quoin Food Pantry and the Perry County Health Department are among 18 community support agencies to benefit from the first round of Southern Illinois Healthcare's COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Each of 18 agencies has gotten $1,000 in grant funding.

Keeping people fed is just one of many priorities of the various southern Illinois support agencies, as families are strained by layoffs and the economic downturn created by efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, access to care, transportation and financial barriers are other things that affect people's health adversely, according to SIH System Director for Community Health Angie Bailey.

According to the most recent SIH Community Health Needs Assessment, between 14.4-23.4% of southern Illinois residents are living at or below the poverty line.

"Now, with the impacts of COVID-19, we expect this number has increased," Bailey said.

To assist those affected, the SIH Community Benefits Department and the SIH Foundation address these needs through community programming and financial support.

The SIH COVID-19 Relief Fund was created through the SIH Foundation. Through the generosity of southern Illinoisans and individual SIH employees, significant funds have been raised to assist with local needs.

Agencies receiving grants are:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois

Carbondale Warming Center

Centerstone

Coleman Tri County Services

Crosswalk Community Action Agency

Daystar Community Program

Du Quoin Food Pantry

Family Counseling Center Inc.

Good Samaritan Ministries

Greater Galatia Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry

Marion Ministerial Alliance

Perry County Health Department

Pregnancy Matters

Shawnee Development Council Inc.

Southern Pride Senior Program

Thompsonville Community of Christ Food Pantry

Victory Christian Center of Southern Illinois

White County Senior Citizen Center Inc.

To further support SIH's efforts, visit sih.net/covid19-response or call (618) 457-5200 ext. 67843.

Round 2 applications are being accepted through June 26. Visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/SIHCOVID-19RELIEFFUNDCOMMUNITYAPPLICATION for information.