UPDATED April 9, 2020

YES, we’re ready to redirect federal COVID-19 relief to LCEC afterschool program families (see Paul’s original message, below). Whether you completed the original pledge form or not, please use this SPECIAL DONATION FORM to make your “Pledge My Check” gift.

March 21, 2020

Dear neighbors and friends,

Yesterday we heard from a mom whose child comes to our program. Their laptop broke, and she wanted her son to have access to school enrichment activities while schools are close. (We’ve got some leads.) At the end of the conversation the mom said something like, “I have $300 on my SNAP card” (what used to be food stamps). “Is there a way for me to give that to someone who needs it more than me?”

Let that sink in for a minute.

We see that kind of generosity from people who get by with less than they need and deserve every day.

We are hearing that the federal government is considering legislation to give everyone somewhere between $1000 and $3000 as part of the response to COVID-19. With all of the uncertainty at hand, receiving $1000 would be really nice right now. I can think of a lot of things my family would do with it.

And it’s not critical. It’s not going to cover rent that we can’t pay because we got laid off. We don’t need it to pay our utility bill or buy food. There are plenty of folks for whom it would make a much bigger difference.

So my family has pledged our check to a family at the LCEC. And we invite you to join us.

Here’s how it works:

  • Fill out this brief form to let us know you’re in.
  • If the legislation passes, we’ll reach out and ask you to make your donation to the LCEC.
  • We’ll then randomly draw from among the families whose kids attend our afterschool programs and give them the money. No strings, no limitations. Just as it was given to us.
  • If we are so fortunate as to have more than enough pledgers to cover all of the families with kids in our afterschool programs, we’ll randomly select from the families who participate in our food pantry, school supplies drive, and holiday gift program to distribute the rest.

For some of us, this is a pretty painless way to make a concrete difference in a specific family’s life. And for those of you for whom this is not the way that you can give, please know that all of the other ways you contribute to this community are deeply appreciated.

Sincerely,

Paul