Marshall County Nonprofits Launch ‘Essentials’ Campaign
Indiana Chamber of Commerce names Plymouth as 2019 Community of the Year
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA coalition of nonprofit organizations in Marshall County has joined forces to create the Fund The Essentials campaign. The goal is to raise $400,000 that will be used for food and housing assistance for residents hit by the economic downtown.
The regional planning group Marshall County Crossroads, along with the United Way and the Marshall County Community Foundation, is driving the initiative.
The groups say 100% of the money raised will stay in the county.
“Following Governor Holcomb’s Stay-At-Home order has been instrumental in helping to mitigate the health risks of COVID-19, but it has imposed a real hardship on some of our Marshall County residents,” said Kevin Overmyer, president, Marshall County Commissioners.
The organization says the pandemic has illustrated the serious need in the communities with 11% of Marshall County families living below the poverty line and 29% living paycheck-to-paycheck, even before the state order disrupted the service economy.
In December, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affair selected Marshall County Crossroads as the 2019 Stellar Communities designee.
Organizers of the group say this fundraising effort will help the county live up to its title.
“The Stellar designation was awarded because individuals and groups from all walks in Marshall County came together with one vision to focus on making our great hometowns even better places to live, raise families and do business,” said Jerry Chavez, president of the Marshall County Economic Development Corp. “In the current environment, we think great hometowns means no one in Marshall County should go to bed hungry, and so we are stepping up.”
People in need of assistance in the county should contact the Marshall County United Way.
Marshall County Crossroads is seeking donations for the campaign between now and May 5.