Submitted photo Lori Pickell-Stangel, executive director of the United Way of the Brown County Area, receives donations from State Farm Insurance agents Bob Webb (left) and Don Samuelson.

NEW ULM — The United Way of the Brown County Area has been taking donations for its COVID-19 Emergency Non-Profit Assistance Grant fund since March, when the COVID crisis first began. These grants support non-profit organizations that provide services to families and individuals in Brown County who are struggling due to the COVID-19 crisis or who need assistance to reopen or serve individuals and families in recovery.

Many individuals and local area businesses have donated close to $28,000, and the United Ways is currently accepting grant applications for round 6.

Bob Webb and Don Sanderson, of Webb and Sanderson State Farm Insurance Agencies made a generous donation designated to help with the COVID crisis in our area.

“The generosity of our local businesses, like State Farm, has been phenomenal, especially considering the fact that most of them have also been shut down and are just now able to open up their businesses again,” Lori Pickell-Stangel, Executive Director for the United Way of the Brown County Area, said.

All the donation funds will go to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund to assist local Brown County nonprofits.

Round 5 grant awardees:

LSS Senior Nutrition Program: $1,000 to offer a 2nd meal to our Senior clients for a meal to have in the evening or weekend. This will ensure that this vulnerable population in Brown County can stay at home safe and have a nutritious meal.

Clothing Depot: $1,000 to cover continued rent and utility costs during the COVID-19 shut down.

The United Way is taking applications for round 6 of our COVID-19 grants and will start accepting applications that not only deal with immediate COVID-19 Emergency relief, but now also recovery. Organizations that have a focus in the areas of basic needs (food, health (physical, mental, and those with disabilities) and vulnerable populations who suffer hardship as a direct result of COVID-19 or for recovery plans, supplies, technology or other costs due to safety measures dealing with COVID-19 are encouraged to apply.

Grant awards are limited to a maximum of $1,000 per grant and a minimum of $250. It is the United Way’s goal to have grant cycles on a two-week rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Grants will be judged on need and impact in relation to the COVID-19 Emergency and made to 501(c)3 charitable organizations. Grants from the United Way cannot be made directly to individuals or families. Click on the link below to fill out our online application: https://www.unitedwaybrowncountyarea.org/covid-19-emergency-non-profit-assistance-grant-application.