The Gloucester Community Foundation has made the initial grant awards from its newly established COVID-19 Response Fund.

GCF awarded $18,000 to be divided among The Salvation Army, Gloucester-Mathews Care Clinic, Bread for Life Food Pantry, the Guest Program, Helping the Homeless Ministry, and The Samaritan Group.

The effort behind the creation of this disaster response fund focuses on helping Gloucester County meet the immediate and emerging needs of its most vulnerable residents during this pandemic.

“GCF is working closely with frontline community and nonprofit partners by monitoring needs, changes, and developments daily to ensure it is providing the most effective support possible to our community,” a release stated.

Agencies providing health care, especially to the non-insured, access to food, child and adult care, and access to shelter and affordable house were strongly considered in first-round contributions, according to the release.

The Gloucester Community Foundation encourages current fund donors, community members, and others to join the foundation in their efforts. To make a gift by credit card, go to www.gloucestercf.org/Donors/Give-Now and enter “Gloucester COVID-19 Response Fund” as the grant purpose. Checks may be mailed to P.O. Box 2303, Gloucester, Va. 23061. Write in the memo line “Gloucester COVID-19 Response Fund.”