"I feel confident that we are going to get above $2 million," Joines said. The city money will come from the economic development bonds that were approved by city voters in 2018.

Appearing for the county were Dave Plyler, the chairman of the board of commissioners, and Commissioner Fleming El-Amin.

Plyler said that the county has not contributed to the fund, "but that is not to say we won't."

Plyler said the coronavirus pandemic is taking an emotional toll on people as well.

"I frankly have never seen, in the years I have been on earth, anything like this," Plyler said. "I don't know what's going to happen, none of us know exactly what's going to happen."

Cindy Gordineer, the president and chief executive of the United Way, said its partner organizations are being directed to shift their efforts to meet basic needs.

Gordineer said that people who need help won't get money directly from the fund, which is distributing the money to the various nonprofit groups. Individuals should call 211 for help, or go to NC211.org.

Scott Wierman, the president of the Winston-Salem Foundation, noted how quickly things are changing during the pandemic.