The City of Stamford, Connecticut, along with the Stamford Partnership, is proud to announce the success of the initial rounds of donations from the Mayor’s Humanitarian Fund, which was created at the on-set of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When COVID-19 first hit in early in 2020, the Mayor’s office, along with public and private partners, galvanized a quick and decisive response, identifying the type of support needed and then providing critical grants to businesses and individuals most impacted.

Building on its early success, the fund will continue seeking new ways to help Stamford’s citizens and non-profit service organizations, with the support of local businesses and corporations, to recover after the pandemic. Organizers continue to focus on food insecurity, as well as the long-term effects of the pandemic on employment, especially amongst Stamford’s low-income and otherwise disproportionately impacted groups.

In late April 2020, Mayor David Martin called on local businesses to contribute to a fund created to assist the most venerable and those needing help as a result of the pandemic.  In addition, several executives proactively reached out to the city to see how they could help. The mayor’s office asked the Stamford Partnership to create a no-fee fund and ensure that 100% of the money raised would benefit the members of the community.

This initiative was made all the more critical when it was discovered that the pandemic indeed had a long-lasting negative impact on low-income workers. In Fairfield County, as of March 20, 2021, the employment rate among workers in the middle wage quartiles decreased by 13.1% compared to January 2020, according to tracktherecovery.org

“I’m so proud of the many businesses who have been so generous contributing to the Relief Fund. They have made it possible for those in our community to find hope during a very difficult time in their lives. That’s what makes Stamford such a great community,” said Stamford Mayor David Martin. “It’s a place where we are always willing to lend a hand to help those who need it.”

The first need that was identified early on in the pandemic was food insecurity, so the fund was mobilized to help provide meals to local food banks.

“This gift from the Humanitarian Fund is deeply appreciated and addresses the critical needs of families in crisis during the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Nancy Coughlin, CEO of Person to Person, a local community service organization dedicated to providing help to families in need, including food and clothing.

Senior citizens were particularly hard-hit by COVID-19, suffering the worst health outcomes of any group. In Stamford, Silver Source provides resources to seniors year-round, going into overdrive in 2020.

Kathleen Bordelon, CEO of SilverSource said, “This funding will make it possible for SilverSource to meet the emergency food needs of our older neighbors, and to ensure they are able to stay home and safe during this pandemic.”

Schools were also put in a difficult situation when they could no longer allow in-person classes, which meant fewer opportunities to feed students in need.

According to a study by Temple University’s Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, 45% of college students surveyed face food insecurity.  During the fund’s second round of disbursements, a major gift of $10,000 was contributed to the University of Connecticut’s Stamford Campus to see that no student has to worry about where their next meal is coming from.

“Food insecurity is a serious issue that does not get enough attention, and this is certainly the case at UConn Stamford,” said Terrence Cheng, Director, University of Connecticut- Stamford. “We are so thankful to the City of Stamford and Stamford Partnership for their generous support. It’s going to impact so many students in a positive way and help them to achieve their personal and academic goals.”

“It has been a pleasure to support Mayor David Martin and this fund throughout its inception and subsequent distributions. Agile initiatives like this one, which respond to critical community issues and need gaps, are a key feature of thriving, inclusive communities. We’ve been excited to help support Stamford in its time of great need,” said Jon Winkel, CEO of the Stamford Partnership.

As the pandemic continues to wind down, with 80% of people having received at least one vaccine dose in Stamford, according to state COVID data, the focus is shifting towards recovery and the rejuvenation of Stamford. The priority will now be helping people afford to live in the city.  

“For the next and final fund disbursements, we plan to focus on rental assistance. The pandemic has created unprecedented financial pressure on our most vulnerable and lowest income residents into the foreseeable future,” said Ellen Bromley, Stamford’s Director of Social Services.