After an $11 million coronavirus relief fund for Santa Clara County dried up just three days after its launch, community leaders are hosting a Saturday evening telethon they hope will replenish the donation pool.
The fund — intended to help county residents pay rent and other bills if their finances have taken a hit during the coronavirus pandemic — launched last month with donations totaling more than $11 million from nonprofits, companies and local governments. But to the horror of everyone involved, it ran out of money and had to stop accepting applications after just three days. After 4,400 applications poured in, the fund’s administrators realized they wouldn’t have enough money to help everyone, and began directing those in need to an online waitlist.
Since then, that waitlist has ballooned to more than 7,000 households — all of whom are waiting in hopes that more funding materializes.
To help secure more money, NBC is hosting a telethon at 7 p.m. Saturday in partnership with local leaders, including San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez.
Our community needs us! #SiliconValleyStrong is raising $ to support our neighbors w/ immediate financial relief. Tune in 4/4 at 7pm to @nbcbayarea & help: https://t.co/TsAn321dqk Thank you @CityofSanJose @SCCgov @SPUR_Urbanist @alfsv @SVatHome @siliconvalleycf #InThisTogether pic.twitter.com/HQGKupp6h3
— Destination: Home (@DSTNHome) April 3, 2020
To donate: Visit siliconvalleystrong.org/telethon
To watch: Tune in to NBC Bay Area at 7 p.m. (Channel 11, Cable 3) or watch online at nbcbayarea.com.
To add your name to the waitlist: Go online at sacredheartcs.org/covid19
