AUSTIN, TX — Austin-based foundation Glimmer|Austin is providing emergency funding to local non-profits serving the homeless, hungry and elderly, officials announced on Wednesday.

"In these times the need is greater than ever. We are working with local partners to provide hope and help to those without food, sanitation and shelter," Philip Berber, Founder of Glimmer|Austin, said in a prepared statement. "We are also concerned about the isolation and lack of support our seniors are facing." In the best of times, officials noted, some 150,000 people in Austin are food insecure. The specter of COVID-19 has caused that number to rise dramatically, officials added. Homeless people are particularly exposed at these times as many of the support services have been severely restricted, and the shelters face increased challenges in their operation and safety, Berber added.