We’re all in this together. Everyone has been touched by the COVID-19 pandemic in one way or another.
But for millions of families, the pandemic has delivered a staggering blow. Over 41 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-March. Many are out of work, facing mounting piles of bills and increased responsibilities for groceries, rent payments, medical supplies, and so much more. To make this experience more challenging, two in five families in America do not have an emergency fund of at least $400 to keep them from falling into further dire needs.
That’s why Stand Together and the Family Independence Initiative (FII) partnered to launch #GiveTogetherNow, an effort to mobilize the power of people and get cash directly into the hands of individuals facing hardship.
We believe that people know best what they need most. Families can use this cash for whatever is most urgent in their life—to cover childcare, to pay the electric bill, to buy groceries, or anything else.
Through the generosity of caring Americans, the #GiveTogetherNow campaign, has raised more than $30 million, and counting, for FII to invest in over 60,000 families across the nation with $500 cash grants. 100% of every dollar donated goes to them.
The #GiveTogetherNow campaign brings together FII’s nearly 20 years of experience in direct cash transfers and a combined network of over 250 nonprofits spanning the country, all with their fingers on the pulse of their communities. These local nonprofits are on the frontlines of their communities. They identify the families impacted the most, and deploy additional resources in their communities, bringing people together, and finding new ways to help each other.
We cannot control the pandemic, but each of us has a unique way we can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors during this time.
We are inviting people to help in two ways:
Give Money: What many people need now, more than ever, is the financial help to weather this unexpected storm. From buying groceries, to paying rent, your donation will empower a family with the freedom to purchase the resources they need to make it through. Whether you can contribute $25 or $100, or whatever your means allow, 100% of your donation will go directly to an eligible household without delay.
Give Kindness: People need community and relationships as deeply as they need cash to overcome this pandemic. While not everyone can contribute financially, people are coming up with creative ways to help—unique to their knowledge, skills, talents, and resources. Things as simple as making a phone call to an elderly neighbor who lives alone. A hand-drawn card with a personal message mailed to a friend who is celebrating a birthday but can’t gather friends for a party. A bag of groceries delivered or saying “Thank you for being there for us” to your mail carrier.
#GiveTogetherNow recognizes these acts of kindness as the contributions they truly are—powerful, valuable, and necessary to get us through this crisis. Today, when you tell us about your act of kindness and use #GiveTogetherNow (see Terms and Conditions), a donor will match that act of kindness with a one-time $500 direct cash payment to a family impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Together, we can weather this crisis. As we find the way forward, cash is critical, and kindness is key. Together, we can build even deeper community connections to support everyone as we emerge from this pandemic.
Join us today.
