Four local community foundations are identifying needs and accepting donations as part of the Central Kansas Community Foundation’s COVID-19 response efforts, Peabody Community Foundation director Becky Nickel said.

Foundations in Florence, Goessel, Hillsboro and Peabody connect charities with funds.

Last week, CKCF assessed emerging needs in the county. Local charities and other tax-exempt entities including government, schools, and churches, responding to the effects of COVID-19 are encouraged to submit a response.

“We hope that by identifying needs before they emerge, we can start to communicate an approximate dollar amount and have funding in place when it is needed,” Nickel said. “To date we have identified funding needs for food, diapers, disinfectant, hand sanitizer, wipes and operational expenses in light of cancelled fundraising events.”

Foundation leaders in Marion County are in contact with local response officials and charities to determine need.

CKCF opened the Central Kansas Community Relief Fund in response to the pandemic, and is accepting donations for charities in Marion County. As needs emerge, charitable organizations can apply for funding with a simplified grant application available on the CKCF website.

Donors may visit the website to contribute. Donations may be designated to a particular community or charity.

“Along with our donors, our role is to make sure that service providers have everything they need to respond to people who are vulnerable during this pandemic,” said Angie Tatro, CKCF executive director. “Our ultimate goal is to help our communities respond, recover and build resiliency. We are prepared to meet the needs of our individual affiliate communities.”