Jones County Community Foundation relief grant helps Anamosa Ministerial Association provide assistance

The Jones County Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund continues to provide support for nonprofits working on the front lines of the pandemic. A grant to the Anamosa Ministerial Association is being used to address increased needs for housing, gas, and utility assistance during a difficult winter with record-breaking low temperatures.

Since September 2020, the grant dollars have helped provide emergency overnight housing at Super 8 for 15 households, $800 in gas vouchers for people with chronic illnesses needing to travel to Iowa City or Dubuque for treatment, and water utility assistance to another 10 households. 

Through partnerships with the Anamosa Police Department and Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, the Ministerial Association can fulfill requests for overnight stays and utility assistance. “We hope these partnerships increase the sense of dignity people can maintain as they ask for help in a time of crisis or hopelessness,” says the Rev. Rodney Bluml, Association treasurer. 

Requests for utility assistance more than doubled this winter, possibly in relation to higher unemployment due to the pandemic. “We were able to assist with all requests because of the Foundation grant and a gift from the Jones County Board of Supervisors,” says Bluml. In spite of higher need, the Association has not had to make further fundraising appeals to continue its ministry and mission. In addition to gifts from the Foundation and the county, generosity from local faith communities increased in response to the pandemic. 

The Jones County Disaster Relief Fund provides an opportunity for the public to give with the reassurance their donations will be used to quickly deploy resources where they are most urgently needed, particularly toward needs not being met by existing nonprofit, local, state and federal programs. To date, the fund has granted about $16,000 to meet community needs that have arisen during the pandemic. 

To give online to the fund, visit dbqfoundation.org/jonesrelief. Checks can be made out to Jones County Disaster Relief Fund and dropped off at any of the banks or credit unions in Jones County, or mailed to the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, 700 Locust St., Dubuque, IA 52001 on behalf of the Jones County Community Foundation.

Questions can be directed to Sherri Hunt, Jones County Community Foundation coordinator at jccf@dbqfoundation.org or by calling 319-551-3402.