HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)- The Henderson Employee Relief Fund announced the Henderson Fiscal Court and the Henderson Board of Commissioners each approved funding for Henderson County residents who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Henderson Fiscal Court unanimously approved $100,000 for the relief fund while the Henderson Board of Commissioners approved $50,000 in funding, while also asking the Henderson Water Utility and Henderson Municipal Power & Light to approve $25,000, each, in funding.

The Henderson Employee Relief Fund was established on April 3 to provide stopgap assistance to Henderson County residents affected by the pandemic as they wait for unemployment benefits from the state or the federal stimulus check.

So far, the Relief Fund has relied on the Christian Community Outreach of Henderson to verify applications and write aid checks with the Community Foundation of Henderson acting as a fiscal agent. The Henderson Men’s Bourbon Society and the Community Foundation provided the fund’s seed money.

Since then, it has received a $150,000 grant from Field & Main Bank and the Preston Family Foundation, a $50,000 grant from the Koch Foundation, a $10,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Henderson, and nearly $100,000 from private donors.

However, the Relief Fund has set a $500,000 fundraising goal and is welcoming donations. Donations can be sent to the Community Foundation of Henderson at 1300 Commonwealth Drive in Henderson. The Community Foundation asks that donations meant for the fund have “HERF” in the memo line.

The deadline for assistance is April 16 and applications can be found around Henderson at these locations:

· The drive-thru windows at the Henderson Municipal Center at 222 First St.

· The drive-thru windows at the Field & Main Bank location at 1720 E. Second St.

· The website of the City of Henderson (www.CityOfHendersonKy.org)

· The website of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce (HendersonKyChamber.com)

Completed applications must be emailed to kelsi.dunham@hendersoncco.org or mailed to Henderson Christian Community Outreach, 700 N. Green St., Henderson, KY 42420 or placed in a temporary mail box located outside the entrance of Christian Community Outreach at 700 N. Green St. Applications must be received by Thursday.

Applicants must identify the employer from which they are laid off because of the coronavirus and provide a supervisor’s name and phone number for verifying employment and layoff status.

As of mid-afternoon Tuesday, 510 applications for relief aid had been received

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(This story was originally published on April 14, 2020)