FARMINGTON — The United Way of the Tri-Valley Area seeks applications to its Very Basics Fund.

Applications are due Thursday, April 30. The next opportunity for applications will be in October.

United Way and its partners are working to meet the short- and long-term needs of individuals and families in the community. In the past several years the focus has been to help those impacted by COVID-19.

Twenty-six programs received support. Now the focus is to help those struggling with the rising costs of the essentials.

Increased food prices, high heating costs, and the potential risk of not being able to pay housing, utility and food bills due to financial strains are a reality, according to a news release from Nichole Ernest with the United Way chapter. Organizations that serve populations in need every day are finding themselves under-resourced to serve a growing demand for those services.

The chapter encourages nonprofits, including schools, municipalities, and faith-based organizations to apply for the Very Basics Fund.

Since its inception in 2019, United Way of the Tri-Valley Area has funded $138,318 in basic needs for area organizations. Funding for its Very Basics Fund is provided through donations to the fund from individuals, businesses and foundations.

For more information and the application, visit uwtva.org.

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