United Way grants available to support Fort Nelson wildfire evacuees

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The United of Way of BC is providing funding to help support wildfire evacuees all over the province, including northeast B.C.

Applications are open for grants from the charity’s United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund. 

Kim Winchell, the provincial director for community impact and investment, says the fund goes towards a variety of nonprofit organizations running programs to help evacuees.

“Those funds go towards food, basic needs, childcare, after-school programs, and mental health programs, and nonprofit agencies apply for those funds through grants,” said Winchell.

She says grants are available for all nonprofit organizations supporting evacuees from the Fort Nelson wildfires and that tens of thousands of dollars have already been provided, going towards nonprofits in places like Prince George.

“We funded the [Prince George Native Friendship Society] up there, they were our first grant applicant for $25,000,” Winchell says. “That supported food vouchers and gas vouchers for those people that were getting evacuated.”

According to Winchell, the grants are entirely funded through charitable donations from B.C. residents. 

She says anyone looking to apply for funding or make a donation should visit the United Way of B.C. website, as that has all the details they need.

Winchell also says some fundraising events are being planned in the near future to collect donations for the fund, but no details are available yet.

“We foresee some in the future, but no events so far,” Winchell says. “We’re just raising awareness about the fund for nonprofits to apply and then raising awareness for people to donate.”