To support the local community during this challenging time, the Medtronic Foundation recently donated $100,000 to Greater Twin Cities United Way’s Greater Twin Cities COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. One hundred percent of donations to the fund go directly into the community to provide immediate support to those most vulnerable to the effects of the crisis.
“Thanks to the generosity of the Medtronic Foundation, United Way is able to provide immediate financial relief to our community where it’s needed most,” said John Wilgers, President & CEO of Greater Twin Cities United Way. “We’re grateful for Medtronic Foundation’s partnership and support to help create a community where all have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of income, race or place.”
To date, United Way has distributed $515,000 in emergency grants from the COVID-19 fund to support the community and its most vulnerable populations. These funds are being used to address critical community needs, including food and shelter, childcare and early childhood education, sanitation and hygiene supplies, financial assistance, and support for organizations led by and predominantly serving black, Indigenous and people of color.
Medtronic Foundation’s gift will support local nonprofits and the individuals they serve, such as Hallie Q. Brown. Hallie Q. Brown is an African American, nonprofit social service agency serving around 50,000 people per year in Saint Paul, Minnesota. When COVID-19 hit, Hallie Q. Brown reported a steady increase in visitors to its food shelf as businesses and workers lost their income. United Way distributed funds to Hallie Q. Brown through its first round of COVID-19 emergency grants, and the organization is using the funds to help keep their staff employed and food shelf stocked.
The $100,000 gift to United Way is part of more than $13 million that Medtronic and the Medtronic Foundation have contributed to COVID-19 relief efforts across the globe.
“We know this pandemic is disproportionately affecting underserved populations,” said Paurvi Bhatt, President of the Medtronic Foundation. “We are proud to support local organizations delivering critical services to those in need.”
To donate to the Greater Twin Cities COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, visit gtcuw.org or text GTCUWCOVID19 to 51555. One hundred percent of donations will go directly into the community.
About Greater Twin Cities United Way: One in four people in the Twin Cities region are experiencing poverty. Greater Twin Cities United Way supports long-term wellbeing by working to provide equitable access for all to a strong education, stable housing, healthy food and good jobs. We do this by bringing together the public, private and nonprofit sectors to solve the community’s most pressing needs. Through our public policy work, volunteer engagement, coalition building, United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline, nonprofit leadership support and grant making, we take a holistic, long-term approach to help people meet their potential. That’s because when more of us reach our potential, our whole community benefits. For more information, visit www.gtcuw.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Medtronic Foundation: Medtronic plc is the sole funder of Medtronic Foundation, whose focus is on improving health for underserved populations worldwide, as well as supporting communities in which Medtronic employees live and give. For more information, please visit medtronicfoundation.org.
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