After conducting a full assessment of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the Arcadia community, the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust has implemented a $250,000 COVID-19 Rapid Response Plan. The initiative targets Arcadian’s greatest needs during this time of uncertainty and supports four key areas including Education, Food Insecurity, Health & Safety and Family Sustainability.  “The COVID-19 Rapid Response Plan is in step with the Louis & Gloria Flanzer’s Philanthropic Trust’s commitment to the Arcadia community,” said Eric Kaplan, co-trustee of the Flanzer Trust. “We stand behind the people of Arcadia.”

The plan includes:

— Enhancing educational opportunities for children through tutoring sessions from April to August;

— Expanding Internet access in underserved neighborhoods for four months;

— Purchasing and distributing wholesale food to hundreds of people for 90 days;

— Purchasing personal protective equipment for local first responders; and

— Alleviating the costs of past-due utility bills for 1,000 households.

The Flanzer Trust has convened partner agencies to assist with the plan’s implementation including Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, All Faiths Food Bank and the School District of DeSoto County. “We are pleased to partner with nonprofits in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused so much illness and financial harm to so many individuals and families,” said Dr. Dean Hautamaki, co-trustee of the Flanzer Trust. The COVID-19 Rapid Response Plan for Arcadia is just one of many initiatives the Flanzer Trust has launched to help mitigate the pandemic-related challenges. Recently, the Flanzer Trust awarded JFCS of the Suncoast a $250,000 grant to help financially prepare for anticipate increased needs directly related to the hardships caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The Flanzer Trust also increased their matching contribution to JFCS of the Suncoast from 1:1 to 2:1 through their 2020 Flanzer Contribution Matching Program for all gifts $5 to $500.

For more info.