Hendricks Power Cooperative, Duke Energy, and Hendricks County Community Foundation form the All In, Hendricks County Rapid Response Fund
In response to COVID-19 displaced workers and family hardships within our community, Hendricks Power Cooperative and Duke Energy have announced their partnership with the Hendricks County Community Foundation (HCCF) to activate the All In, Hendricks County Rapid Response Fund. The fund will support human services organizations and the individuals and families they serve who are affected directly and indirectly by the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The Rapid Response Fund will be launched with a $24,000 donation from the Hendricks County Community Foundation along with $5,000 each Hendricks Power Cooperative and Duke Energy Foundation. The Community Foundation is currently seeking donations from other organizations and individuals to support the fund.
As part of the launch of the fund, $23,700 in COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants were made by HCCF on March 20 to the following organizations:
• Family Promise/Stability Builders Network – $10,000
• Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition – $2,500
• Hope Healthcare Services – $1,500
• HRH YMCA – $1,500
• Meals on Wheels Hendricks County – $2,200
• Hendricks County Senior Services – $1,500
• Sheltering Wings – $1,500
• Susie’s Place – $1,500
• Sycamore Services – $1,500
“We are pleased to partner with Duke Energy and the Hendricks County Community Foundation to initiate this effort,” said Dana Cochran, Director of Marketing and Member Engagement at Hendricks Power Cooperative. “While both utilities are working diligently to make accommodations for our consumers, we also know there are greater immediate needs during this time. We are hopeful that other organizations will follow suit to help create a stronger sense of stability for our entire community.”
Community leaders recognize that the potential economic impact, particularly for workers in jobs in the service and hospitality industries, is high. Organizations that serve populations in need every day will find themselves under-resourced to serve a growing demand for those services.
“These are uncertain times and Duke Energy wants to support our friends and neighbors,” said Jean Renk, Manager of Government & Community Relations at Duke Energy. “The Hendricks County Community Foundation has a critical role in our community and I am so happy that we can work with Hendricks Power to jump start this fundraising and grant-making effort.”
In addition to the All In, Hendricks County Rapid Response Fund, the Community Foundation has launched a survey of direct service organizations to identify critical needs, resource gaps and the best approach to disseminating the emergency funds with the appropriate sense of urgency. Given the evolving nature of this situation, the fund will be designed to be flexible and efficient in quickly getting funds to organizations serving those in need in the weeks ahead.
“The Community Foundation feels an obligation to respond to the effects of this pandemic on our neighbors,” said William Rhodehamel, President & CEO of HCCF. “These organizations are best positioned to help, and this is the first step in meeting the pressing needs of those affected by COVID-19 in our county. We look forward to working with the Duke Energy Foundation, Hendricks Power Cooperative, and others in our community to ease the burden of this health crisis on our residents.”
You can learn more about and give to the All In,Hendricks County Rapid Response Fund at the Hendricks County Community Foundation website: https://www.hendrickscountycf.org.
Edited press release