April 1, 2020 | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
By AJ Media Editorial Board
It should come as no surprise that as the sprawling coronavirus crisis touched the South Plains, people here started by asking what they could do to help others. Equally unsurprising, two organizations well-acquainted with responding to need were among those taking the lead.
Last Friday, two of the city’s highest-profile philanthropic partners, the Lubbock Area United Way and the Community Foundation of West Texas, announced creation of the South Plains COVID-19 Response Fund. It has been established with the intent of quickly ensuring resources are made available to community-based organizations battling the virus locally.
Board members from the Community Foundation and the United Way will oversee disbursement of funds, which will be used to support nonprofits battling the impact of the virus on communities and people.
The people of the South Plains understand the concept of generosity and have exhibited it in amazing and extravagant ways time and time again. We join with Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope in encouraging people to support the fund and the important mission it will fulfill in the challenging weeks ahead.
The virus has disrupted virtually every aspect of life in only a few weeks. Businesses and schools have been closed. People have been told to stay at home except for essential errands, and thousands have lost their jobs as a result of the economy grinding to a near standstill. Not only did the first of a month arrive Wednesday, but also arriving were bills for rent, vehicles, utilities and other living expenses.
The result is unprecedented levels of anxiety and stress, which the response fund will work to address by providing flexible resources to nonprofits in local communities disproportionately hit by the coronavirus.
Lubbock’s banking community was among those stepping up in a big way, cooperatively committing more than $280,000 to the fund shortly after it was announced. “This extraordinary partnership shows their collective commitment to not only their customers but our South Plains communities as a whole,” according to a news release issued announcing that gift.
United Supermarkets, with a distinguished history of supporting the communities it serves, donated $25,000 while Texas Tech football coach Matt Wells also donated and recorded a video with the mayor encouraging support of the fund.
According to our story, people can donate online at cfwtx.salsalabs.org/spneighbors or at the register at any Market Street, United Supermarkets or Amigos location in Lubbock, Levelland, Post, Plainview and Slaton. Donations by check can be mailed to 6102 82nd St., 8b, Lubbock, Texas 79424, with the check payable to The Community Foundation of West Texas with COVID-19 Response Fund on the memo line.
Lubbock Area United Way Board Chairman Jon Stephens put it this way: “We really need the help of our community on this. It is a time for folks on the South Plains, who are so good at being neighborly, to put being a good neighbor into action. This is a time to prove that hope starts here.”
This is a part of the country where looking out for each other has long been a way of life. Some of that is due to a pronounced agricultural influence, and some is due to the presence of a large and diverse faith community. Whatever the reasons, giving has come naturally to the people of West Texas, and our hope is that will once again be the case as we weather this latest storm – together.