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Yvonne Goldsberry, Ph.D., Endowment for Health President
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Today, our Board of Directors approved emergency grants to support New Hampshire communities through the COVID-19 crisis. A total of $200,000 will be distributed to four New Hampshire United Way agencies: Granite United Way, United Way of Greater Nashua, United Way of the Greater Seacoast, and Monadnock United Way.
We are confident that the United Way infrastructure has the best understanding of current and emerging needs in the face of this growing public health emergency. They see first-hand how health-care professionals are scrambling for supplies, protective equipment and treatment capacity. They understand the implications as kids are out of the classroom indefinitely, some suddenly without the school meals they counted on.They hear directly from families torn between work demands, childcare gaps, and the increased risk to older adults. They see hard-working people facing sudden unemployment. The domino effect is harsh and palpable.
This moment in time is serious and unprecedented. Our state's public health professionals are stepping up to lead despite scarce resources. Our health care providers on the front lines are dedicated and courageous. The countless number of grocery store, power plant and delivery workers are keeping shelves filled, electricity flowing and products moving. Fellow Granite Staters are banding together and acting swiftly to help.
But we shouldn't lose sight of the longer term. We can and will get through this, together. Physical distance, self-isolation, remote work and online learning may challenge us now, but offer new ways of working together to promote the health of our people. The Endowment for Health has been here for the past 20 years, we are here to support our communities in these troubling times, and we will be here for the long haul.