A grassroots relief group on the Navajo and Hopi nations has assisted thousands of people in areas hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Now, it’s running low on cash and soon may have to stop the vital deliveries. KNAU’s Ryan Heinsius reports.
The Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund says without a major uptick in donations it’ll have suspend sending food boxes to families in the coming weeks. Contributions from nearly 100,000 donors have poured in from around the world during the COVID outbreak, and the organization says so far it’s raised more than $6.2 million.
But it’s now spent nearly all of it distributing food, water and other essentials to vulnerable tribal members and those who live in especially rural areas. Fund representatives are trying to raise an additional $6.5 million to continue their work.
The group says it’s served more than 186,000 people in hundreds of communities on the Navajo Nation and in the Hopi Villages.
COVID cases have spiked in recent weeks on both reservations and, in the midst of cold and flu season, the Relief Fund says its work is especially critical.
The Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund is accepting donations on its Go Fund Me page.