The United Way of West Florida's emergency coronavirus assistance funds are beginning to be distributed to 15 nonprofits to help with everything from buying medicine to covering utility payments.

The local United Way is giving away $246,266 from its COVID-19 Response Fund this week as part of the first phase of its response to the economic troubles caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The money is meant to help those in the ALICE population, or those who are asset limited, income constrained and employed.

Leaders decided to hold back about 30% of the assistance dollars for a second phase of relief funding that will be focused on the larger community, said Laura Gilliam, president and CEO of United Way of West Florida. That money could go to more long-range concerns like mental health services. Any new donations to the fund will go to the second phase.

Funding was prioritized for food resources, Gilliam said, with organizations like Feeding the Gulf Coast, Manna Food Pantries and the Salvation Army receiving money. Otherwise, the funding is going to organizations that help those out of work and agencies that offer rent and utility assistance for individuals.

Some funds are going to nonprofits that aren't directly related to the coronavirus shutdowns, such as Epilepsy Florida, Covenant Hospice and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. Gilliam said those organizations were chosen to distribute the funding to their clients who need help.

"Rather than send them to another place to get this assistance, these agencies are going to be able to provide a more holistic approach in being able to, because they already had that relationship with people, extend that additional support," Gilliam said.

Health and Hope Clinic, which provides free medical care for those in need, has seen a huge increase in the demand for its services since people have been laid off during the coronavirus pandemic. Sally Bergosh, executive director, said through March 2019, the clinic saw 1,714 visits compared to 2,235 through March of this year.

The clinic will spend its grant on additional medicine for its pharmacies and equipment like record shelves for new patients. Staff and volunteers will also be adapting how they go about business, with more telemedicine appointments and even a video doorbell to limit contact.

"The worry from everybody, all the nonprofits out there, is 'Well, how long do our resources last? Do we give up paying an electric bill to keep our lights on so that we can keep supplying our patients and new patients with what they need to treat them medically?'" Bergosh said. "(The grant) allows us to not have to make that hard choice."

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Matthew Knee, executive director of Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, said his organization will be in charge of distributing funds to help pay people's bills as part of its emergency assistance program. The money is given directly to a vendor, like a landlord or utility company, rather than the individuals themselves.

Last year, the organization distributed almost $1.7 million in direct financial assistance. This year, it is on track to give out $2 million.

"We have seen a great increase in people that have lost their jobs that are looking for rental assistance, utility assistance and really trying to plan ahead," Knee said. "We have people that are calling us that are looking at their budgets and realize that if things don't change in the next couple weeks or a month, then they're going to be in a tight situation."

For individuals who need information on how to access assistance, United Way suggests calling 211. Those interested in donating to the second phase of the COVID-19 Response Fund, they can text "850Respond" to 41444 or go to the United Way's website at uwwf.org/covid19fund.

Full list of local United Way grant recipients

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida

Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida

BRACE

Covenant Hospice

Epilepsy Florida

Community Health Northwest Florida

Feeding the Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast Kids’ House

Health and Hope Clinic

Manna Food Pantries

Outreach Navarre

Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola

The Salvation Army

South Santa Rosa Interfaith Ministries

United Ministries

Madison Arnold can be reached at marnold@pnj.com and 850-435-8522.