COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund

Coronavirus: What We Are Doing

The health and well-being of our community is a top priority at United Way of Amarillo & Canyon. Like many others in our community, we are closely monitoring the rapidly changing developments to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We are taking action to protect our staff, volunteers, guests, partners and the community. We've asked employees to work from home if possible. We've canceled upcoming events and in person meetings. We are working with our partner agencies and our community to identify what challenges or shortages they are experiencing.  

How to Help

The United Way Amarillo & Canyon has established the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to provide direct aid to those affected. As the situation develops, it is clear the challenges this virus extends beyond just those infected and their loved ones, but to every citizen of Amarillo & Canyon who are living paycheck to paycheck. Given the social distancing required to combat the spread of this disease, individuals, most of whom are hourly wage earners in service industry jobs, will experience unprecedented economic hardship. As stated in our current Community Status Report, 17.5% in Potter County and 14.7% in Randall County live in poverty.

In response to this, the emergency relief fund will be allocated to local 501c3 nonprofit agencies who directly impact the lives of individuals who experience lack of basic needs being met. i.e., food, shelter, utilities, etc.

All donations to the funds will be granted to community-based organizations that are directly supporting local residents and families who are most affected by emerging health, economic, and social impacts. Because this situation is evolving rapidly, we expect to be flexible with these funds to meet the needs of our community. Thank you for joining others on this necessary collaboration to ensure our neighbors, friends, and nonprofit community have the resources they need moving forward.

If you'd like to help, please click HERE.

LIVE UNITED

No one is to blame for this virus, but it is up to all of us to help stop the spread. It is also up to all of us to help those who are most in need. COVID-19 doesn’t recognize race, nationality, ethnicity nor social status. Our community is stronger when it is unified, and it is going to take all of us to soften the impacts and recover as a community.

And one more thing, let’s remember that many of our friends and neighbors may experience unexpected interruptions to their work schedules, which can adversely impact the stability of their families. Their livelihoods depend on the income they earn, and reduced hours, as well as prolonged closures, will severely diminish their ability to pay rent and buy food.

Thank you to our generous corporate donors