Virginia Beach City Council recently approved an ordinance to provide an additional $8.42 million in funding for the Virginia Beach Pandemic Relief Partnership to continue providing resources and assistance to Virginia Beach residents and small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The Virginia Beach Pandemic Relief Partnership is a collaboration of United Way of South Hampton Roads, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and LISC Hampton Roads funded by the City of Virginia Beach. Helping the Virginia Beach community navigate and recover from the challenges presented by COVID-19 is their top priority.
In October 2020, City Council provided an initial $8 million in funding to the Partnership to be divided evenly among the four nonprofits. The additional $8.42 million approved in January will be split between two of the partners based on demonstrated need. United Way will receive $6 million to provide financial assistance in the areas of rent and mortgage, childcare, utilities and health. The funding allows United Way to reopen the financial portion of the VBrelief.org site which was temporarily paused in December when initial funds were exhausted.
The remaining $2.42 million will go to LISC Hampton Roads, whose local presence was established with funding from Sentara Healthcare. These funds, combined with the funds allocated by the City in October, will allow LISC to provide $10,000 grants to over 400 Virginia Beach small businesses.
Since launching on November 17, VBrelief.org has received over 35,000 views and 3,506 requests for assistance. Virginia Beach residents and small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 in any way, are encouraged to visit VBrelief.org to access resources and assistance.
