A new giving campaign, “Sheltering in Love,” expands the efforts of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in the fight against the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. Funds raised through “Sheltering in Love” will assist vulnerable communities in the United States and around the world.
Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, UMCOR has been working with health boards, medical professionals, disaster management coordinators and faith leaders to prevent further spread. Partners in China, Africa and the Philippines have already received solidarity grants. Training materials have been developed and disseminated in four languages to facilitate online trainings focused on preparedness and prevention.
The impact of COVID-19 is far-reaching and demands an even greater response.
Through the Response Fund, UMCOR will release grants to equip partners who assist vulnerable populations around the world impacted by COVID-19, including racial/ethnic and indigenous communities in the United States. Recognizing that COVID-19 is affecting racial/ethnic communities in the U.S. at a disproportionate rate, Global Ministries has also committed money from the Human Relations Day and the Native American Ministries Sunday offerings to provide assistance in racial/ethnic communities in the U.S.
Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded and disbursed quickly and efficiently to address pressing needs in the areas of health, food insecurity, water, sanitation and hygiene and economic instability. Grant applications are available via umcmission.org.
Gifts to the UMCOR COVID-19 Response Fund should be directed to Advance #3022612. One hundred per cent of Advance gifts go to the designated cause. To give online, visit https://advance.umcmission.org/p-2025-umcor-covid-19-response-fund.aspx. To give by check, send checks payable to Advance GCFA to:
Global Ministries/UMCOR GPO
P.O. BOX 9068
New York, NY 10087
For additional information, contact Tom Farley, UMCOR director of development, at tfarley@umcmission.org or call 800-862-4246.
About the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
Founded in 1940, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the global humanitarian aid and development agency of The United Methodist Church. UMCOR is working in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the United States and its territories. Its mission, grounded in the teachings of Jesus, is to alleviate human suffering - whether caused by war, conflict or natural disaster with open hearts and minds to all people. UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters that are interruptions of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community's ability to recover on its own. UMCOR works through programs that address hunger, poverty, sustainable agriculture, international and domestic emergencies, refugee and immigrant concerns, global health issues and transitional development. Learn more at www.UMCOR.org, www.Facebook.com/UMCOR and www.twitter.com/UMC_UMCOR.