United Way donates $2,600 to Thermal Shelter through COVID-19 Response Fund

The United Way of Front Royal-Warren County has established a “COVID-19 Response Fund” to help our community address pressing needs during the current crisis.

This grant is made possible through a grant made by Truist (formerly SunTrust and BB&T) as well as generous donations from people in our own community.

The United Way has approved part of the funding from this grant to go toward the Thermal Shelter of Front Royal.

The Thermal Shelter has already completed its regular 15-week schedule for this calendar year. However, with places being shut down as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, the homeless population in our community has nowhere to go. To address this need, the Thermal Shelter is attempting to continue operations for ten more weeks.

The County has allowed the agency to use the 15th Street Gymnasium during this time, and has provided some funding for continued operations. However, Thermal Shelter Director and Warren County Social Services Community Liaison Michelle Smeltzer indicated that, even with these resources from the County, the funding gap is still substantial, and the agency hopes that the community continues to step up so that these vital services can be continued for the next ten weeks.

Since 1950, the United Way has worked to advance the common good in Front Royal-Warren County. The community wins when a child succeeds in school, when families are financially stable, and when people are healthy. The United Way’s goal is to create long-lasting change by addressing the underlying causes of the challenges we face. Living United means being part of the change!

To reach the United Way offices in Front Royal-Warren County (134-B Peyton Street, Front Royal, VA, 22630), please email info@frontroyalunitedway.org or call 540-635-3636.