Farmers Feeding Families RFP
We seek to identify community programs and services that increase access to food and combat food insecurity in Shelby County. Our goal is to ensure that individuals are able to live healthy lives free from hunger and its associated health issues and move more freely toward self-sufficiency with this barrier removed.
We’re half-way through 2020 and I don’t know about you but I’m looking forward to finishing out the year strong by working together in innovative ways to empower individuals and families in our community to achieve their fullest potential.
We are committed to this work every day and know that going back to normal isn’t good enough:
We mean it when we say that with your help, we will create a better – more equitable future for all – right here at home!
I hope you received our email invitation earlier this week for our next Beyond Buzzwords: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Speaker Series on Thursday, August 16 featuring author Tim Wise, one of the most prominent anti-racist writers and educators in the United States. You can register HERE.
And lastly, as you may know, we have been aggressively pursuing a transition to a community investment strategy that recognizes the urgent need to address the persistent inequities in our community – especially around significant gaps in education and wealth. Just this week we invited organizations to help create strategic partnerships to do just that through a Request for Proposal (RFP) as a first step in this process. As our investment redesign work evolves, we will continue to share with you the model, process, data, learnings and plans moving forward. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please let me know.
All my best to you and your family,
Theresa Reno-Weber
President & CEO
Metro United Way
I hope you know that our 2-1-1 referral service is available 24/7, 365 days per year for any individual in our community. It’s a free service that connects people facing life challenges, often for the first time, to local resources they might need including help with rent, utilities, food, healthcare, jobs assistance, child care, and more. It saves time and frustration by eliminating the need to navigate a maze of organizations and helplines by organizing all available resources in one location.
Not surprisingly, we have seen an increase in calls, texts, and website requests during the COVID-19 pandemic – up to 7x more than normal. If you or anyone you know needs help, I hope you do call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211.
Just this week we hit the 1,000,000 connection mark!
That means there have been 1,000,000 people in need connected to community resources since 2006. Thank you to our partner in this effort, The Center for Women and Families, for hosting our call center and answering the call EVERY SINGLE DAY from individuals that might not have known where else to go for help.
Take a look at a story we did to celebrate hitting the 1,000,000 mark this week. This million represents connections to emergency shelter needs, support groups, legal aid, transportation needs, education, child care, food and so much more.
If you haven’t yet, I hope you check out some Facebook Live videos we’ve hosted the last couple of weeks highlighting our nonprofit partners and leaders. It’s been so popular that we will be doing it again later this summer or fall. Thank you so much to Jennie Jean, Carol, Steve, Deb, Erin, Lynn, Sadiqa, John, Kristen, and Dave for bravely lending your voice on live video and sharing how you, your team, and your organization’s work have been affected by the COVID pandemic and recent racial injustices. There are a few other United Way CEOs across the country that have been tuning in and will be doing similar video series in their markets!
We were so happy to announce this week that Kevin Nolan, President and CEO of GE Appliances, a Haier Company, will be our 2020-2021 Community Investment Chair. You can read more about the announcement in Business First HERE.
“Now more than ever, it is imperative that our community comes together to generate positive change. People are counting on us, and we are going to help drive these efforts together. I know Louisville will rise to the occasion and show that this is a community that believes in transformation and embraces change.” – Kevin Nolan
As we all continue to navigate through 2020 together, I hope you know how much we appreciate your continued support. We’ve had a lot thrown at us and know that now more than ever we need to be united in working together to create the change we all want and need. We can’t do that without you.
All my best to you and your family,
Theresa Reno-Weber
President & CEO
Metro United Way
Our community leaders and policy makers are critical partners in promoting education, health, equity, workforce development, and human services, so we actively engage, help educate, and advocate for good policy – and that’s never been more important than during the current COVID-19 crisis. And when you add your voice to our chorus, you make us that much more powerful and that much more effective!
I hope you can take a few minutes to see how you can advocate for the community that you want for yourself and family HERE. You’ll see our 2020 policy agenda and also find specific ways to use your voice and be heard about issues that are important to you.
Of course, one of the best ways for your voice to be heard is to VOTE.
KENTUCKY VOTERS: you can now request an absentee ballot for the Tuesday, June 23 primary election online in less than five minutes! Once your application is approved, the county clerk’s office will mail your absentee ballot to your confirmed address. The deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot is Monday, June 15.
INDIANA VOTERS: Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by the county election board by noon on primary election day, THIS TUESDAY, June 2. Check with your county clerk’s office for drop-off locations and procedures if you no longer have time to mail your ballot for delivery by noon Tuesday or if you plan to vote in person.
Another way to vote for the kind of community you want to live in is to volunteer. We have opportunities available for everyone to get involved listed on our volunteer portal. You can search based on organization, interest, location, and more. Some opportunities are virtual projects that can be done at home while others offer safe and healthy guidelines for volunteering in person. Remember, only consider in-person service opportunities if you and all those you encounter are well. Also, make sure you officially sign-up for the volunteer opportunity you choose.
As always, please remember that if you or someone you know needs help at any time, CALL 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211. Our call specialists are available 24/7 to help connect you to available resources in our community not only during this crisis but every day of the year.
Thank you again for your support not only during the pandemic but year-round. Feedback from you is important as we continue to help our community recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and work to close the financial and educational gaps in our community, so please reply to this email with any questions or input that you have.
All my best,
Theresa Reno-Weber
President & CEO
Metro United Way
Even before the COVID crisis, you were helping address the greatest need in our community by donating, volunteering, or advocating for individuals, kids, and families. Now that this pandemic has amplified the need all around us, it’s more important than ever to stay committed to ensuring all achieve their fullest potential.
Our volunteer connection portal is open to any nonprofit in our community to share projects where they need support. I encourage you to browse the opportunities to engage and give back – especially now when so many need help. You can view COVID-related projects or search by interests, neighborhood, skills needed, special needs, timing, and more.
As you know, working for a complete and accurate 2020 Census count is at the top of our policy agenda for 2020. And guess who’s #1 across the nation in filling it out – LOUISVILLE!
Our team has worked tremendously hard on a lot of fronts, and I’m so proud. However, the work continues. We still have undercounted neighborhoods with response rates below 45% so make sure you’ve filled out the Census AND help us spread the word by asking your friends and neighbors to do so as well!
I also want to share a great piece from Shelbyville about how that community has rallied together like never before to help their neighbors. Now THAT’S how to Live United!
And here’s a great op-ed from Jerry Finn, Executive Director of the Caesars Southern Indiana Foundation about inspirational support for one another.
You can see Metro United Way’s entire response during the COVID crisis including financial relief, full list of organizations funded, volunteerism activities, and support for organizations and individuals HERE.
I hope for any family or friends of yours that have reached the important milestone of graduation this month – either from high school, college, preschool, and everything in between – that they have felt our community celebrating them the best we can. For those of you with high school seniors, Louisville Magazine wants to interview students as a way of congratulating the Class of 2020. Details HERE.
Please remember that if you or someone you know needs help at any time, CALL 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211. Our call specialists are available 24/7 to help connect you to available resources in our community not only during this crisis but every day of the year.
Thank you again for your support not only during the pandemic but year-round. Working together, I’m confident we will help our community recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and continue to work to close the financial and educational gaps in our community.
All my best,
Theresa Reno-Weber
President & CEO
Metro United Way
The COVID-19 has changed a lot about what we do and don’t do in our everyday lives, but it certainly hasn’t stopped us from seeing and celebrating the best in each other. Like you, I have loved watching inspiring stories from across the country about how so many are stepping up during this crisis.
We’ve been sharing some really short “Community Compassion” videos from partners that we work with directly to address need in our community during this pandemic. I hope you can take a few moments to check them out:
 Play Cousins Collective |
 Global Game Changers |
 Turnaround Resource Center |
 Southern Indiana Hospitals |
I also want to share with you a video from our staff that we just released today. These are some of the faces behind the great work that we do and I’m incredibly proud of how they have all stepped up in this time of need.
As I’ve said before, many in our community were certainly struggling before COVID, the pandemic has amplified their need and pushed many more into distress. It’s up to us to work together to close the huge gaps we’re seeing in so many areas, especially in education and wealth. One of the easiest and best ways to do this – to help all of us – is to fill out the Census and to vote.
We continue to encourage EVERY PERSON in our community to take ten minutes to complete the 2020 Census at my2020census.gov and we also want to ensure EVERY VOICE is heard in this year’s elections. Here are the most important steps for you to take now:
Please remember that if you or someone you know needs help at any time, CALL 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211. Our call specialists are available 24/7 to help connect you to available resources in our community not only during this crisis but every day of the year.
As always, thank you for believing in a community where all reach their full potential and for your continued support, belief and trust in us. We could not do what we do without you.
All my best,
Theresa Reno-Weber
President & CEO
Metro United Way
I sincerely hope that as we enter another month of the COVID-19 crisis and what would have been Derby weekend that you and your loved ones are both physically healthy and emotionally well. Teleworking, social distancing, economic uncertainty, growing need – the coronavirus pandemic continues to present overwhelming challenges, but I’m confident that we can, together, rise to the occasion and come through these trying times stronger and better on the other side.Please remember that if you or someone you know needs help, CALL 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211. Our call specialists are available 24/7 to help connect you to available resources in our community not only during this crisis but every day of the year.
2-1-1 was mentioned in Newsweek just this week: “Charities like the United Way are built to tackle COVID-19,” from Newsweek. “We (United Way) are the best way to respond at scale. Which food banks are out of food? Which shelters nee beds? We’ve created the 2-1-1 network for non-emergency calls.”
Our team has been busy ensuring our nonprofit partners that are serving on the frontlines of this pandemic have what they need to continue their crucial work for individuals and families in our community. This includes emergency COVID relief funding, volunteers to help, personal protective equipment, food, and other supplies.
In addition to these ongoing COVID crisis relief efforts, Metro United Way is participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity on THIS TUESDAY, May 5 to lift up COVID need and relief as well as share some love and appreciation to those around us.
We have created several ways to “share the love” and give back to our community on this day and hope you’ll join us!
Many individuals lacked the resources they needed to provide for themselves and their families before COVID-19, the pandemic amplified this need, and there will be need ahead for many of our neighbors so we will continue to work together with nonprofit partners, government, businesses, and individuals to ensure the dollars you’ve given are invested to address our community’s greatest need.
As always, thank you for your continued support, belief and trust in us.
All my best,
Theresa Reno-Weber
President & CEO
Metro United Way
A huge thanks to you if you’ve filled out the Census. If you haven’t, please do – it takes about 10 minutes to do: COMPLETE CENSUS.
In case you missed it, we held a virtual DJ party this week to encourage everyone in our community to be counted. It was a lot of fun and I know my kids, husband and I all had fun dancing around in our home while watching and listening in!
It’s so great to see the wonderful responses from almost every company, nonprofit, celebrity, athlete, advertiser and more during the COVID crisis. It seems almost everybody is doing everything they can for others. We hope this spirit continues!
I think a lot of United Ways across the country (and the world) are seeing what we are – that transactional giving is not enough right now. People want to support organizations that actually work collectively and that have infrastructure and people on the ground because it’s not just a matter of moving money from point A to point B anymore. There are data-driven strategies that address community need and provide long-term change and the United Way network is poised to deliver that. So thank you for your support and your trust.
Just within the past two weeks United Way, the largest nonprofit network in the world, has partnered with YouTube, GoFundMe, Porsche, BET and other global brands to collaborate and respond to need brought on by the COVID crisis. Take a look at what Grammy-award winner Alicia Keys had to say:
People with the least resources have been struck the hardest by this pandemic and Alicia highlights the need to continue to move forward our work in diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as, our long-term efforts to address gaps in wealth and education that existed before this crisis and are being exacerbated by it.
More details of our response to the COVID-19 crisis, how to get help, resources, facts, donate, volunteer opportunities and more can be found HERE.
Reminding you again and each time I can that if you or someone you know needs help during the COVID crisis (or anytime throughout the year), please call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211. Our call center is open 24/7, 365 days a year for anyone in our community that needs help.
Thank you again for being part of Metro United Way. Together, you are championing the needs of so many in our community. A hope that is needed now, more than ever.
All my best,
Theresa Reno-Weber
President & CEO
Metro United Way
With these weekly updates, we hope to keep you informed, encouraged and provided with ways to take action, get help, and also provide help if you are able. We will try to keep our communications as brief and relevant as possible.
This week we want to stress how important it is for everyone to COMPLETE THE CENSUS. For the first time in history it can be done online, and with all we’ve seen and experienced with the COVID pandemic, we realize now more than ever the importance of standing up for our neighbors!
The Census only happens once every ten years and aims to count every person living in the United States. You and each person counted in your household help bring billions of dollars into our state, ensure our voices are heard in government, and secure the schools, roads, emergency services, and businesses our community needs to thrive.
We hope you help celebrate with us next week as we join with the Louisville Urban League, Rajon Rondo Foundation, Russell Place of Promise, Cities United, our city government, and others to lift up communities that were undercounted in our past Census and celebrate them with daily, virtual events; the first kicks off Monday, April 20 with Louisville’s own Jack Harlow on social media! If you’re connected with us on social, we’ll be sharing how you can engage and get involved!
For more information on the Census, what to expect and details around the dollars, data, and democracy involved, CLICK HERE. To see our full policy agenda, which includes advocating for a complete and accurate Census as well as recent COVID crisis advocacy efforts, CLICK HERE.
Finally, and I can’t say this enough, if you or someone you know needs help during the COVID-19 crisis (or anytime throughout the year), please call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211. Our call center is open 24/7, 365 days a year for anyone in our community that needs help.
If you can offer help, please check-out these virtual volunteer opportunities or donate to help us continue to provide emergency COVID relief as well as addressing long-term community need.
As we navigate this ever-changing season, we are determined to continue our crucial work to ensure each person in our community thrives. Thank you for being part of it – we couldn’t do it without you.
All my best,
Theresa Reno-Weber
President & CEO
Metro United Way
Sharing another update with you this week to let you know that I understand how difficult this crisis is for you, your family, and your friends and neighbors. As a wife, mom of three young children, and a citizen of our wonderful community, I share your concerns and want you to know, you’re not alone.Our 2-1-1 call center is available 24/7 and is free and confidential. I urge you to call 2-1-1 if you or anyone you know needs help. You can also text your zip code to 898211 or simply click here. Some of the greatest needs we’ve seen during the COVID crisis include help with food or groceries, rent assistance, personal care items, prescriptions, and childcare assistance.
Please also continue to check out our COVID response page that is updated every day with resources for parents, individuals age 60+, volunteer opportunities, facts about the virus, resources for small businesses and nonprofits, and more.
The COVID-19 outbreak has unleashed unprecedented threats—especially to the health, financial independence and safety of the most marginalized in our community who were already in need before the pandemic. Know that we are addressing all need through collective data and a network of partners and organizations that are working on the frontlines every day.
The first round of distributions from the One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund, Community Foundation of Southern Indiana and our own internal COVID-19 emergency fund have begun to support nonprofits, individuals, and families most affected by the crisis in each of the seven counties we serve. This week Metro United Way is providing emergency COVID relief funding directly to these organizations:
| 2Not1 Fatherhood and Families American Red Cross AMPED Awake Ministries Bullitt County Housing First Catalyst Rescue Mission Centenary UMC Center for Lay Ministries Centro Latino Delta Foundation Dorman Center Family Health Centers Food Literacy Project Franciscan Kitchen |
Harrison County Community Services High Point Hope Southern Indiana New Legacy Oldham County C-19 Relief Fund Operation Care Salvation Army Southern Indiana St. Stephen Family Life Center Tri-County Turn Around Wellspring Wesley House Whitney Young |
Our volunteer team of community leaders will continue to review needs on a weekly basis making it possible to deploy resources quickly as we adapt to the evolving needs of our community.
Some of you have already extended a hand to find out how you can help above and beyond your annual gift to Metro United Way or how you can give back through volunteering. I’m so grateful for your compassion, commitment and solidarity – thank you.
If you have the means to do so, the best way you can help is by making a gift to Metro United Way or one of the collective efforts in our region – all donations are currently aiding in COVID relief efforts, both now and into the future, to lift up those most vulnerable.
The month of April – National Volunteer Month – certainly won’t be the celebration we had planned. But our community has rallied together in creative and inspiring ways to face this new challenge head on. Check out some of these VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES as well as some great STORIES OF COMPASSION. We’ve been asked by Louisville Mayor Fischer to take a formal role in connecting volunteers during this crisis so we’ll be updating you on that throughout the month!
Tips for volunteering during the COVID crisis:
These last few weeks have reminded us how fortunate we are to have supporters like you who will stand with us. We can’t tell you enough how thankful we are for you being part of the work we do every day. Our entire team is focused on making sure we come through this crisis stronger, better, and more equitable than ever before, with long-lasting benefits for our entire community.
All my best,
Theresa Reno-Weber
President & CEO
Metro United Way
The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenging and uncertain times for all of us, but there is also so much hope and optimism surrounding us.
Our staff, donors and volunteers are playing a game-changing role in a heroic fight for the education, financial independence and health of every person in our community – something that is needed now more than ever before.
WHAT WE KNOW: Our nonprofit partners are on the front-line of providing support to individuals during this crisis, but the reality is they were working hard to meet the needs of those they were serving before the crisis, let alone the significant numbers that need their support now. Through 2-1-1, United Community and direct conversations with these partners, we know the most critical needs right now are for housing and food assistance, transportation, basic needs such as diapers and prescriptions, and childcare.
HOW WE’RE RESPONDING: To help, we’ve advanced disbursements to all our currently funded partners and are releasing more than $400,000 in emergency funds (reserves and donations made to MUW since the outbreak) that we can invest immediately in nonprofits currently serving individuals and families most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis across Jefferson, Shelby, Oldham and Bullitt counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties in Indiana. These funds will be used in parallel and to complement the dollars raised and distributed by the collective funds in our region, including the One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund and the Disaster Relief Fund in Southern Indiana.
We’re also helping them to coordinate supplies and volunteer efforts that provided needed resources to organizations on the frontline, including:
Lastly, Metro United Way is providing insights and data on needs across the region that are driving the prioritization and distribution of the collective initiatives mentioned above. As always, the dollars given to Metro United Way are being invested back in our community strategically for the most impact.
ADVOCACY WINS: We’re also happy to report that after dedicated federal advocacy efforts alongside many of our local and national partners, we were encouraged to see the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act become law on Friday, March 27. This package includes several provisions we fought for on behalf of our neighbors and our network including increased funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), child nutrition programs, childcare centers, small business loans, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and a universal charitable deduction to enable all Americans to give up to $300 to charities tax-free.
We hope to keep you updated about how this crisis is impacting our work and the community we serve as things evolve over the coming weeks and months.
As always, if you or someone you know needs help, please call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211. Our call specialists are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Since the COVID crisis began, we’ve seen a 7x increase in calls for help to this 2-1-1 resource center which normally connects 100,000 per year to resources in our community.
At times like this, we need community more than ever. So from the entire team at Metro United Way, thank you again for being part of this life-changing mission. We couldn’t do this without you.
All my best,
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Theresa Reno-Weber President & CEO Metro United Way |
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