SW Arizona News

Maricopa County is taking an active approach to helping residents impacted adversely by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing CARES Act funding to different nonprofits and food banks. 

The county has received a total of $399 million from the federal government to help relief efforts. The county’s board of supervisors allocated $5 million toward nonprofit service agencies. The Arizona Community Foundation will award between 25 to 200 grants ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 each, the county reported in a press release. A total of $3 million has been allocated for food banks to be dispersed by the Arizona Food Alliance in small and large grants.

The funding will also provide direct help in the form of grants for rental assistance and utility bill payment assistance. A total of $6.25 million will help residents with rental assistance in awards of up to $1,500 per month. To help families a three-month limit on assistance has been lifted. The board has also set aside $6 million for utility assistance with eligible applicants able to receive up to $1,000 a month, the press release reported.