New fund brings help to local charities

It's being called “the essentials fund,” and is being organized to provide charities with flexibility in how they help community members search for things like clothing, backpacks and toothbrushes.

Co-leaders Jane Arnold and Allyson Kroetsch spoke to The Mike Farwell Show on CityNews 570.

“So, much of the funds that charities receive are restricted to specific program purposes,” Kroetsch said. “For this fund, we want to provide them with unrestricted money, that they can have on an 'as needed' basis, to ensure that their clients have the essentials.”

For the fund to work as intended, she said donations from the community will be required.

“We're hoping the community gets creative and comes together to provide a donation to the fund,” Kroetsch said. “Our plan is to later on in the year get back to all the donors and give them an update.”

Arnold added charities that wish to benefit from the fund will have to go through an application process and register to access it. 

Now, since the project is so new, Arnold added there is potential a lack of donations will make the fund less impactful. But she said she's hopeful that won't be the case.

“This is a first-year project and we don't know how much money we're going to raise,” she said.

“We're hoping we're going to raise lots of money so we'll have lots of funding available. Any charities that are interested in learning more can connect with us.” 

Those wishing to donate or register a charity can make that connection by going to their website.