SW Iowa Times

Three southwest organizations in Iowa are joining to create a fund to help combat COVID-19 in the area. 

The fund, created by the Iowa West Foundation, Pottawattamie County Community Foundation and Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, will go where needs are the greatest. Donations are open to the public. 

The funds can help support public health, emergency child care and everything in between. 

“It’s essential that we coordinate and work together during this time of crisis to address the urgent needs of southwest Iowans,” Iowa West Foundation President and CEO Pete Tulipana said to the Daily Nonpareil. “The Iowa West Foundation is committed to working with community agencies to address the most current and pressing needs as well as partnering to create ways for individuals and corporations to have a way to help.”

Anyone from individuals to organizations are encouraged to visit the PCCF website if they wish to donate to the fund. Donna Dostal, PCCF president, said all donations will be matched by 10% from PCCF. 

“Our community is poised and ready to help in this time of uncertainly,” Dostal said to the Daily Nonpareil. “At PCCF, we know that through collaborative problem solving, transparency and innovative thinking we can help convene solutions and connect philanthropy to the needs. In our partnership with the Iowa West Foundation, we look forward to maximizing insights, expertise and resource support to best serve our southwest Iowa communities.”

The fund, the Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response, will also have free daytime childcare for those parents having to cope with school closures, Chris Laferla, executive director of the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, said.

“The precautionary measure to close schools during this pandemic is necessary to prevent spread, but we risk losing the life-saving benefit of closing schools if health care workers, first responders and other critical employees are not able to work because they don’t have childcare,” LaFerla said to the Daily Nonpareil. “As a community we are happy to step in to provide childcare.”

The Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response will also help those in need of food, shelter or individuals with acute behavioral health needs. It will also support public health and infrastructure by giving to drive-thru testing and other infrastructure. It will help nonprofit organizations who can't meet payroll as a result of COVID-19 and supply long term relief for needs that federal, state or local relief programs won't help with. 

To apply for relief funding, visit either Iowa West Foundation or PCCF's websites. 

Additional information for CBSF's Childcare Collaborative is on CBSF's website.