Methodist Healthcare Ministries Awards $1.1 million as part of COVID-19 Relief Efforts
San Antonio, TX (April 27, 2020)– Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.–a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured—has awarded $1,151,443 million in emergency grant funding to 46 nonprofit, health and social service agencies in its 74-county service area for COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.
“During these unprecedented times, Methodist Healthcare Ministries remains committed to increasing access to care for the least served across South Texas,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “This investment ensures that our partners have additional support in continuing to provide critical physical and mental health care and essential resources for our friends and neighbors impacted by this pandemic. We are proud to stand with our communities who are hurting and need a little extra help today. We know that they are resilient and that by working together, we can ensure that everyone has access to the care and support they need.”
While $433,409 was awarded to agencies in and around Bexar County, special consideration was given to underserved communities that do not have the same degree of philanthropic support as San Antonio. To ensure there is equity in the accessibility to response and recovery resources in Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ 74-county service area, $718,034 is being awarded to agencies that primarily serve outside Bexar County.
Grants will cover a three-month period beginning April 1 through June 30. Some of the organizations receiving this funding include:
- Central Texas Food Bank (multiple counties), $50,000 for food assistance
- Christian Assistance Ministries (San Antonio), $35,500 to supply handwashing stations, showers and hygiene supplies for homeless people
- Coastal Bend Food Bank (multiple counties), $100,000 for food assistance
- Concho Valley Regional Food Bank (multiple counties), $25,000 for food assistance
- Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (multiple counties), $50,000 for food assistance
- Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley (multiple counties), $100,000 for food assistance
- Fuerza Unida (San Antonio), $7,425 for an emergency food pantry
- I Care San Antonio, $33,435 to continue operations during the crisis
- Jewish Family Service (San Antonio), $32,529 to support a collaborative six-agency mental health response to low-income students and families sheltering in place, through telehealth/mobile mental health resources.
- Mission 911 (Corpus Christi), $25,000to help isolate and care for homeless individuals who need to “shelter in place”
- Phoenix Center (multiple counties in Marble Falls area), $10,000 for telehealth services to provide trauma-informed care to underserved rural children and families
- San Antonio Food Bank (multiple counties), $200,000 for food assistance
- South Texas Food Bank (multiple counties), $75,000 for food assistance
- Texas Diaper Bank (multiple counties), $50,000 for families in need of diapers and other hygiene supplies
- The Children’s Shelter (San Antonio), $15,000 to meet increased demand and additional costs due to sheltering in place
Through this funding, Methodist Healthcare Ministries granted $600,000 to the seven Food Banks covering the 74-county service area, as a strategic emergency response, and $342,554 to 31 churches and church agencies to help respond to basic needs in urban and rural communities throughout South Texas.
This funding opportunity is in addition to the $32 million granted this year to over 90 agencies across South Texas which supports access to care, integrated delivery systems, patient-centered health models and other programs and services aimed at addressing the Social Determinants of Health that disproportionately impact the least served.” Details of this announcement to be released publicly soon.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries remains committed to provide safe, affordable health care to San Antonio’s low-income population through virtual medical and behavioral health care—including food and other emergency assistance during this pandemic. The organization also still offers services to its Parenting Program clients via Zoom classes and will begin to offer recreation & enrichment program offerings via Zoom to patients and clients looking for ways to stay active and healthy in these times where social distancing prevents in person services. Additionally, regional staff, including Wesley Nurses and community based counseling staff continues to provide services throughout the 74-county service area.
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