Relief bill has passed but the pain remains. Here’s how you can help.
By Roger Glass
Congress has finally done the right thing and passed a Covid Relief Bill that is aimed at providing much-needed assistance to individuals, families and businesses suffering from the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. (At press time, the legislation was on Pres. Trump’s desk but he had yet to sign it.)
The $900 billion bill includes direct payments of $600 for individuals and $1,200 for couples, and an additional $300 in weekly federal Unemployment Insurance payments. It also contains $25 billion in rental assistance, $13 billion for food aid and $325 billion in small-business aid.
President-elect Biden called the new relief package just a “down payment.”
“Immediately, starting in the new year, Congress will need to get to work on support for our COVID-19 plan, for support to struggling families, and investments in jobs and economic recovery,” Biden said in a statement.
Clearly, the needs of many Americans are great and the funds and resources are limited. In Baltimore, reportedly 33 percent of the city’s children face food insecurity. The city’s newly elected mayor, 35 year-old Brandon Scott, recently launched a $5 million initiative that will provide 20,000 food boxes a week for families hard hit by the pandemic.
“COVID-19 has deepened the inequity of food insecurity, especially in our Latinx and Black and Brown communities,” Scott said in a statement.
In the spirit of the holiday season, Black Exchange urges you to give generously to your favorite charity. If you’re looking for one—or two—to support, here are some options.
No Kid Hungry is a national campaign run by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. Ending childhood hunger is the primary focus of No Kid Hungry. With the coronavirus closing schools and millions of children losing the school meals they depend on, the work of No Kid Hungry couldn’t be more timely and critical. Go here to visit the website and contribute. LEARN MORE
A number of labor unions, guilds and affiliated nonprofits have established relief funds for workers hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations help provide crucial support to displaced workers and others during this challenging time. Go here to contribute. LEARN MORE
Feeding America is the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, with a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries across the country. Its Covid-19 Response fund is helping food banks across the country. Go here to visit the website and contribute. LEARN MORE
Preventing youth homelessness in DC is the core mission of Sasha Bruce. Each year there are fewer affordable places for young people and their families to live in the nation’s capital. Sasha Bruce helps young people find safe homes, maintain good physical and mental health, and explore opportunities in education and careers. Go here to visit the website and contribute. LEARN MORE
