Publicly supported fund to help Washington County residents pay utility bills

A new initiative aims to create a fund supported by Washington County residents for county residents affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Called "It Takes A Village," the project will raise money from purchases of specified products at participating local businesses or from donations to the fund, which is organized through the Washington County Community Action Council.

Hagerstown City Councilwoman Shelley McIntire said hundreds ofcommunity members have lost wages and jobs over the past year, leading many to decide between paying for food, transportation or utilities.

"It Takes A Village" will help county residents pay their backlog of utilities bills when other state and federal funding sources do not apply or run out, she said.

"It will take a village-like effort to be able to help those in need," McIntire said.

Starting Thursday, people will be able to contribute by purchasing beer, coffee, appetizers or other items specified by local restaurants and other businesses, such as Hagerstown's River Bottom Roasters, Williamsport's Cushwa Brewing Company and 28 South in downtown Hagerstown, among others.

While the fund began with the intent to help those impacted by the pandemic, McIntire said she hoped the idea "grows organically" and extends beyond just a few weeks, but potentially becomes a permanent resource.

"There's never not going to be a need," she said.

McIntire and fellow CouncilwomenTiara Burnett and Tekesha Martinez have been involved in the effort.

Burnett said in an email Friday that she immediately jumped on board when McIntire approached her about the idea, saying "It Takes A Village" is "another example of how great Washington County is.

"We identify a need and we come together to provide a solution. That’s how you make a positive impact for everyone," Burnett said. "Any donation to the Community Action Council or purchases to our participating businesses will support those in need as well as our local businesses."

The initiative began as something different — a fundraiser involving a tribute coffee to the councilwomen and Hagerstown's first female mayor, Emily Keller — proposed to McIntire by Craig Campbell of River Bottom Roasters.

Campbell said McIntire suggested bringing an awareness of issues and needs within the community, which worked well with his company's mission and vision to support the local and international community.

After talks began in January, Campbell said he reached out to other local businesses about getting on board, and got Amanda McCoy at Iconiq to design a logo to designate products associated with the fund.

He also got in touch with friend Geordie Newman, Community Action Council president and CEO, about setting up the fund there.

Newman said the nonprofit, which focuses on helping people become self-sufficient, has run into issues because the majority of COVID-19 funding and grants provided by the state and federal governments can't be used with public utilities, as in Hagerstown and Williamsport.

A recent grant from the Community Foundation of Washington County and the United Way of Washington County "just scratched the surface" of the need, which Newman said "isn't something new."

The "It Takes A Village" fund will be applicable to those residents denied aid by CARES Act funding, which does not allow municipalities to recoup losses due to the pandemic. Since these funds are privately donated, the same restrictions will not apply.

"That's what makes this different," Newman said. "This will be a tremendous benefit to this agency and the citizens of city and county."