By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The need in Reno County remains great in the face of job losses and hour reductions related to COVID-19.
"Because of the pandemic, the cracks have become more like crevasses," said Lisa Gleason with the United Way of Reno County. "Certainly, as our working families were struggling and now they were laid off or furloughed or had reduction in hours, it made it more difficult for them to take care of their families. The unmet needs fund at United Way is a way for us to help support people who have been affected by COVID-19."
The unmet needs fund has provided money for things like rent and utlity assistance.
"They just go through the RallyReno.org website," Gleason said. "There is an unmet needs application there that they fill out that comes directly to United Way and United Way and the Reno County VOAD, we look at those every single week and we are processing them."
Many people have already been helped since the launch of the program this spring.
"I know we have worked with over 300 individuals in our community," Gleason said. "We have given out over $100,000 in assistance. We still have funds to give out and support those who are still struggling and trying to help support their families."
According to the site 119 families have been assisted through the Reno County VOAD thus far.