Funded by an initial contribution of $13,000 from Meijer Foods, the Kishwaukee United Way announced the creation of a Microgrant Program for nonprofit human service organizations and community collaboratives that are meeting local emergency needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Meijer grant is part of $4 million directed to United Ways in Meijer’s Midwest footprint and comes as the retailer prepares to open their store in Sycamore.  “We are honored to be beneficiaries of this generous gift, and will quickly move to get these and any other Covid-19 directed funds into the hands of agencies and groups who are serving the most vulnerable in DeKalb County,” said Dawn Littlefield, Executive Director of Kishwaukee United Way.

According to Littlefield, grants will be disbursed in the $500 to $1,000 range to best serve multiple organizations. Some funds have already been utilized to purchase masks and cleaning supplies to be distributed by the DeKalb County Health Department to agencies with critical supply needs.

Click here for Grant Application

Besides the grant program, Littlefield noted there are other United Way services available during this crisis. For those seeking local and virtual volunteer opportunities, there are postings on Kishwaukee United Way’s volunteer resource page at www.kishwaukeeunitedway.com/volunteer. For those needing general information and referrals to multiple nonprofit and government services in DeKalb County, they can dial 211 on their phone or go to www.findhelp211.org