By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com
After 14 weeks of supplying cash to workers displaced by the coronavirus pandemic, the well has run dry. Yachats Community Presbyterian Church has run out of money in its displaced workers fund and ended the program this week.
And, there is enough money for just one more round of the church’s small business relief program, with a Monday, July 6 application deadline.
Pastor Bob Barrett reported this week that $100,000 was dispensed to nearly 300 displaced workers over the course of the fund’s life.
Begun in March after coronavirus restrictions forced business shutdowns, the fund was a boon to people ineligible for unemployment benefits, or who faced protracted delays in receiving benefits. Workers needed to present identification and a note from their employer that they were laid off due to the pandemic.
“We’ve gone to the community so many times for donations, they’ve been so generous, we thought we’d step back and take a breather,” Barrett said. “There are still people out there in need, still those not getting unemployment benefits, so if the need increases, we’ll make another ‘ask’.”
In the meantime, YCPC is looking into pursuing grants, he said.
The church initially seeded the worker fund with $5,000 from its endowment fund. Donations from the greater Yachats community and beyond steadily swelled the fund to $100,000.
Almost at an end is YCPC’s Small Business Relief Fund, begun in April to help local enterprises stay afloat during pandemic shutdowns.
“We have enough money for one more round of Small Business Relief,” Barrett posted on the church’s Facebook page.
Any brick-and-mortar business located within Yachats city limits (or the Greenhouse Market shops) that has a financial need linked to the pandemic may apply. Businesses that have received federal Payroll Protection Plan loans, or received money from the Small Business Fund in the past, may still apply.
Applications may be submitted through the church’s Facebook page. Deadline for submissions is noon Monday, July 6.
The business relief fund began after local business owners started joining the line outside the church for displaced worker payments. The fund launched with $10,000 from the church’s operating budget. It grew with a $20,000 donation from Nan and Greg Scott of Yachats, plus their pledge of an additional $10,000 if other contributors matched it. Contributions poured in to reach a peak total of almost $89,000 at most recent count, said Nan Scott, who is the church treasurer.
Not counting this last round of grants, 21 Yachats businesses have benefited, according to Scott. Most businesses have said they needed money for rent, utility bills and other costs that don’t stop when stores are closed.
The church continues the run the Yachats Food Pantry, which moved from the Yachats Commons to the church in March. It is open to all from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
While food donations are sufficient at present, Barrett said cash contributions are always welcomed.
“If someone is looking to donate, we would see that their money is used where it’s most needed,” he said.