The Green Bay Packers have distributed 12 more Brown County grants through the Packers Give Back COVID-19 Community Relief Fund, a $1.5 million fund aimed at providing immediate support to Wisconsinites facing challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 12 new grants to 11 Brown County groups are in addition to the 59 grants that were distributed with earlier rounds of funds the last several months, as well as the three grants that were distributed to the three local health systems to acquire personal protective equipment.

In total, since the fund was established, 74 grants have gone to 58 different Brown County groups that are on the front lines of helping those most impacted by the pandemic, including organizations addressing food and hygiene needs, housing assistance, transportation, medication and other basic needs. Recipients range from schools and food pantries to homeless shelters and organizations serving individuals with disabilities.

The latest rounds of grants are benefitting 11 groups, including:

• Altrusa House: the grant will be used to purchase UVC light sanitizing units, cleaning supplies and PPE.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin: the funds will acquire video conferencing software to safely host info sessions for new Bigs, activities for matches and board meetings.
• Center for Veterans Issues: the grant will help purchase PPE and help develop deep cleaning processes, as well as help mitigate mental wellness issues related to COVID-19.
• Community Services Agency (COMSA): the funds will provide emergency housing support and energy assistance.
• Exceptional Equestrians: the grant will assist with equine health and staff expenses related to COVID-19.
• Freedom House: the funding will assist with basic supplies and staff salaries.
• Golden House: the grant will help with general operating expenses amid COVID-19.
• House of Hope Green Bay, Inc.: the funds will help purchase interactive smart boards and iPads for virtual programming.
• Jake's Diapers: the grant will help with truck rental fees and fuel and will purchase diapers for those in need.
• Neville Public Museum Foundation: the funds will help acquire and install sneeze guards, plexiglass barriers, PPE, cleaning supplies, microphones and cameras for computers.
• Transformation House, Inc.: this group has received two grants over the last several months, and one grant is going toward increased operational costs due to increased capacity and removal of required resident fees, and the second grant is going toward general operating expenses at the men's and new women's shelter.

Other groups receiving grants since the Fund was established include: Ben's Wish, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay, Brown County Oral Health Partnership, CASA of Brown County, Calvary Lutheran Church, Casa ALBA Melanie, Cerebral Palsy Inc., De Pere Christian Outreach, Encompass Early Education and Care, Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, First United Methodist Church, Foundations Health & Wholeness, Friends of Pals Youth & Families, Greater Green Bay YMCA, Green Bay Action Sports Organization, Green Bay Area Catholic Education, Green Bay First Food Pantry, Howard-Suamico School District Pantry, Innovative Services Inc., Jackie Nitschke Center, Inc., Literacy Green Bay, NeighborWorks Green Bay, NEWCAP; Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Educational Foundation, One Wrightstown, Options for Independent Living, Paul's Pantry Inc., Salvation Army Green Bay, School District of West De Pere, Stocked Shelf Food Pantry, The Gathering Place, Unity Hospice, Vivent Health, Volunteer Center of Brown County, Wise Women Gathering Place, YWCA of Greater Green Bay.

Some groups have received multiple grants for their causes, including: Ashwaubenon School District, Curative Connections, De Pere Unified School District, Ecumenical Partnership for Housing, Green Bay Area Public Schools, New Community Shelter, St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter and We All Rise: African American Resource Center.

In addition to $1 million of support through the Fund earmarked for Brown County, the Packers Give Back COVID-19 Relief Fund also directed $500,000 to support initiatives in Milwaukee County. That portion of funding has already been distributed to a total of 31 Milwaukee County groups.

Packers Give Back continues to work closely with the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation to identify community needs and to quickly and efficiently distribute resources. Funding will continue to reach the community through the work of local nonprofits who serve the community's most vulnerable. Grant applications for Brown County are still being accepted on a rolling basis as review teams continue to consider pending requests and assess short- and long-term needs. Organizations can learn how to apply at packers.com/community/.