Covid19- Southern Connecticut(Rotary District 7980) Initiatives to Help

Here in Southern Connecticut we have five initiatives to cope with Covid19
1) Each club will give $525 to a local Food Bank(57 clubs so that is about $30,000. We expect that every club will use these funds to support their local food bank(s) Many clubs have added their own funds to support this effort and we expect the total support from just this program will be over $60,000.
2) We've received a RI disaster grant of $25,000 for purchasing Medical Personal Protective Equipment, We will purchase N95 or KN95 masks(about 4000), gloves(about 40,000) and face masks (about 5000) which will be distributed through our 57 clubs. Each club will be able to donate some of this equipment to the organizations in their town which need protective equipment, like nursing homes, first responders and emergency services people. Note that every Connecticut resident will need a face mask when going out, the third item above will be to supply face masks to Rotarians and others in their community.
3) Each club has talked to local healthcare organizations and proposed projects that
 will be funded by the District Foundation and  by District Managed Grants. Over
$30,000 total. Each grant will be for $2500. Some of these projects have addressed child care for front line workers, others for PPE for hospice and emergency responders, others have supported specific local homes and still others have supported the local food needs of the communities. In many cases the club is also contributing money for the project. Over 20 clubs will be funded to execute these projects needed by our Communities.
4) Ted Rossi, an East Hampton Rotarian, has donated 25,000 medical masks that many clubs(over 25) are donating to medical service organizations in their communities. Over 42 organizations including nursing homes, police, fire, EMS, furneral homes, rotary clubs distributing food and others are receiving a large number of masks.
5) The District will apply for a Global Grant to be divided equally between  Protective equipment for hospitals and club projects for $2500 each(see above). We exoect to get over $30,000 of funding for this project and are excited that we will help the hospitals keep their people safe and also fund the projects which are clubs want to do in their communities.

Donation of Masks
A large number of flat masks have been donated to the clubs in our District. The clubs have identified numerous organizations that need masks and the masks will be delivered on Monday, April 27 to the clubs for distribution.

Support of our Food Banks

District 7980 COVID-19 Food Drive in support of community Food Distribution Centers that serve District 7980 communities.

The District has established funds from the District Designated Fund (DDF) that were to be available for District Managed Grants (DMG) and instead have been earmarked for the  District 7980 COVID-19 Food Drive in the range of $25,000 to $30,000. The purpose of these funds will be to supply local  Food Distribution Centers (FDC) (i.e.; food banks and related services) with an infusion of food resources for its community in need. Access to these resources shall be provided as follows:

1.  Participating District 7980 Clubs will apply for an initial $500 grant directly through the District 7980 Rotary Foundation. The application will be available on the District website for download and completion.

2.  The application must be completed by both the club and its designated FDC in order to obtain these resources. This application will require signatures from both parties and a listing of items required and in need from the designated FDC. 

3.  Upon completion and approval by the District 7980 Foundation Committee, resources shall be distributed in one of the following manners:

o  The Club will designate grant funds in support of their local FDC to be directed to the Connecticut Food Bank. The Connecticut Food Bank will coordinate the shopping and delivery of the food lists coordinated by the FDC. Clubs must collect a copy of the “Invoice” for the resources provided to the FDC and forward the invoice to the District. The District will in turn pay the Connecticut Food Bank invoice. Club members should be encouraged to work with the local FDC to help with the delivery of food and any other support associated with the proceeds of the grant.

o  The Club will coordinate the shopping of requested FDC items via local means up to the funding allowed by the Grant and deliver the items directly to the designated FDC. Additionally, each Club is responsible for providing all financial receipts for the resources acquired, as well as proof of delivery of all items designated. All receipts and the acknowledgement of delivery must be delivered back to the District as a requirement of the grant.

4.  Each participating Club will publicize through local media sources and social media about the Food Drive. The District will provide templates of press releases, scripts and social media content that can be used to assist in promoting these efforts to the community.

Rotary International Disaster Relief Grant
Here are the details of our application for a grant to provide personal protective equipment to workers at nursing homes, other medical facilities, non-medical workers, workers at supermarkets, ambulance and EMT workers. Our clubs would identify the nursing homes, ambulance services and other facilities where the PPE would be provided.

We want to order enough KN95 masks to cost about $12,000. Maybe 3000 or 4000.

Order enough rubber gloves to cost about $6,000 Maybe 40,000

Order enough flat masks to cost about $5,000 Maybe 4000(note everyone may be                                                required to wear a mask in Connecticut)

The $2000 balance will be used for costs and to reorder things which are needed by our Community.

The clubs can pick up a standard package of PPE i.e.

50        KN95

400       rubber gloves

100        flat masks

However each club can adjust the amount they take based on the needs in their town, within reason. The club should record for us what organization will receive the additional PPE for what purpose.  In all cases the club should report back on who received the PPE and any comments and/or pictures on the use. Note that the flat masks are intended for distribution to Rotary club members and townspeople since everyone in Connecticut will need a mask.

Initiative to Help with Covid19 Crisis

. Each Rotary club will contact a health facility in their area and talk to workers and the leadership of the facility. The goal will be to identify a project that could be funded by our District Foundation. In each case the Rotary club and the healthcare partner(s) will define a project(funding of $2500) which will help healthcare workers and patients.(what, $, timing)

Over 20 of these projects have been proposed by our clubs.
A rough summary of projects
Help the Food Bank, Meals for 250 people, meals for an open door shelter
Child care location for emergency worker children-help with cleaner protocols and education
PPE for emergency workers
PPE for Hospice
Care packages for healthcare workers
Mask making support
Help a local home
PPE for VNA
and more