By SEAN HILDRETH, guest columnist
With the recently implemented $2 trillion economic stimulus plan, millions of citizens are receiving a stimulus from the federal government to help during the COVID-19 crisis. But what should you do if you don’t need that money and want to help those who do? We assembled a quick list of options to help locally with the pandemic and recovery in Brown County.
An interesting note before we dive in, did you know the stimulus package includes is a provision that allows non-itemizers take up to a $300 above-the-line charitable income tax deduction for cash donations made in 2020? For those who take the standard deduction, this means that if you give $300 to charity, you would get the $300 tax break in addition to the standard deduction ($12,400 for individuals and $24,800 for married couples filing jointly). This is good news for both givers and charities — which need every penny they can get during the crisis.
Donate
The Brown County Community Foundation (BCCF) has a rapid response fund to help Brown County with crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund exists to help provide for needs such as personal protective equipment for first responders, food for local pantries, and other emergency needs. Donations to this fund can be made by visiting browncountygives.org or by texting the code TOGETHERBC to 44321.
The BCCF holds a variety of funds to support nonprofit and community organizations across the county. These funds provide perpetual operating support to organizations that might be receiving less financial assistance during the current crisis. By making a gift to these designated funds, you can support the organization by ensuring they have a strong funding stream for the future. Call the BCCF at 812-988-4882 to discuss options that currently exist. Moreover, we encourage you to reach out to organizations you’re passionate about to learn how you can support their immediate and short-term needs.
Purchase food and donate it to local food pantries. This could be any of the following pantry locations in Brown County. Please call ahead to see what needs are most urgent and how you can help the most.
Mother’s Cupboard Community Kitchen: 812-988-8038, 802 Memorial Drive, Nashville, IN 47448, seven days a week, 4 to 6 p.m.
North Salem United Methodist Church: 812-988-2786, 7718 State Road 46 East, first Thursday of the month, 1 to 2 p.m.
Salvation Army: 812-988-7019, 168 S. Jefferson St., Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
St. Vincent DePaul Society: 812-988-8821, 2901 Long Lake Road, Saturdays and Mondays, 10 a.m. to noon.
The Mutual Aid Brown County (IN) COVID-19 Facebook page offers a variety of ways to help those in need in Brown County, including managing the tipyourserverbrowncounty.com website. This site is providing funds directly to restaurant workers affected by the crisis.
You can also use your extra cash to help support your favorite local businesses — check out online stores, buy a gift card, order delivery, share their updates, and tip well when you can.
Looking a little shaggy or showing some roots? Your hairdresser or barber will be there when they can be, but for now, you can pay them anyway.
Promote
Helping to spread the word about resources is another way to get involved. Let those who might need help know about the Brown County COAD. Please have them call 812-988-0001 if you need assistance with food, medicine or transportation.
Share the BCCF Rapid Response Fundraiser on social media or through email, and let others know how they can donate locally to make an immediate impact in the response and recovery to COVID-19.
Sean Hildreth is the marketing, communications and outreach officer for the Brown County Community Foundation Inc. He can be reached at 812-988-4882 or [email protected].
