In response to the the COVID-19 outbreak, Foundation 205 launched its Community Response Fund during the 2019-20 school year to rapidly deploy flexible resources in three critical areas:

• Food security for D205 students & their families

• Elearning resources & materials

• D205 family support and gap funding

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The strength & generosity of the Elmhurst community was overwhelming. Foundation 205's Community Response Fund has raised over $120,000 and allowed us to make the following grants to support our students and their families:

 

• $20,000 to the United Community Concerns Association (UCCA) to provide gift cards to D205 families who need help to purchase daily essentials.

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• $10,000 to the Yorkfield Food Pantry to provide weekly care packages for families April-May.  As well as host 3 mobile food pantries in partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to provide food to 725 families.

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• $15,000 to the Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network to support emergency relief to Elmhurst families in financial crisis.

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• $9,500 to local restaurants to provide 2,150 meals to 790 students during the week of Spring Break when D205 food service was not available.

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• $5,000 to the District 205 Student Services department to provide Elmhurst students experiencing homelessness with emergency food relief.

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• $15,000 to support the costs associated with providing emergency support to D205 students experiencing economic hardships.

 

• $45,000 to support educational needs across the buildings to enhance and expand learning in both hybrid and remote learning settings.