VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – During this unprecedented time of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, our community faces many challenges. Our most vulnerable populations will need generosity, compassion, and support from all of us as they face food and housing insecurity and reduced access to mental health support.

Andrea Nelson said, as the Director of Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation, I have spent time connecting with organizations that provide direct services to the vulnerable population. It is clear many are already fighting the effects of this crisis, while others are experiencing a calm before the storm.
What is also clear is a strong pattern of need:
· food
· shelter
· access to mental health services

Right now, the SVCF is working to determine the best way to help those most in need while being sensitive to the financial impact COVID-19 has had on our donors and community members we rely on for support.

Barnes County COVID-19 Relief Fund: Our Opportunity to Help

The Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation has taken an important step by opening a Barnes County COVID-19 Relief Fund which will provide emergency funding to support people impacted by the pandemic. While we know this pandemic is creating hardships for everyone at this time, the need for your support truly has never been greater. We are asking you to consider making a gift to the fund which will allow us to quickly address emerging needs.
What the Relief Fund Will Do

It will fund at-risk families in need of food and shelter while protecting them from eviction and utility shut-off.

“Children Services of Barnes County provides crisis management and family preservation services to at- risk families in Barnes County. Lack of funds, resources and supports are things these families struggled with prior to Covid-19. Since Covid-19’s implications have swept through our community, the clients our agency serves have found themselves in even harder times. Resources are more limited than ever, and in some cases, there is no relief in sight. Families are going without food, and they cannot pay their rent or utilities. Families are being faced with shut off notices or the possibility of being evicted from their homes. In this time of crisis, the Barnes County COVID-19 Relief Fund is needed to help these families access funds that are so desperately needed to help achieve some sort of normalcy amid the uncertain times we all are facing,” Dana Lindemann, LMSW Child Welfare Supervisor, Buffalo Bridges Human Service Zone (formerly Barnes County Social Services).
It will support students and families of Valley City Public Schools.

“The Barnes County COVID-19 Relief Fund facilitated by the Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation will provide tremendous support and resources enabling our counselors and staff at Valley City Public Schools to continue to support our students and families during these unprecedented and challenging times.” Josh Johnson, Superintendent of VCPS.

It will also support organizations like APOC, Barnes County Food Pantry, City County Health Department, Barnes County Housing Authority and more. It will help provide access to those in need of mental health services and support our emergency and healthcare departments. It will support other critical needs identified now and the long term effects this will have.
We Can Address Emerging Needs, But We Need Your Support

One of the unique pieces of a Community Foundation is our ability to address emerging needs. It is our privilege to take the lead on identifying community needs and offering a place for people to give back. This allows organizations to focus on providing critical services to those who need it most.

We are currently accepting donations to help meet the needs and challenges nonprofits will face during the unsettled time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ways to Donate
Give online: www.valleycitynd.org/covid-19
Send a check payable to the Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation office
250 West Main St Valley City, ND 58072
Please add “Relief Fund” noted in the memo line

Thank you for supporting our efforts in helping our vulnerable citizens during this complicated health and economic crisis. Please reach out to our organization at 701-490-1596 if you have questions.

Andrea Nelson
Director
Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation