TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski on Tuesday announced the Baltimore County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, which will support the county’s efforts to promote public health and support residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund will be managed by the Baltimore Community Foundation, and county leadership will determine how the fund is allocated.

“We know that in addition to health concerns, many residents are facing job loss, food insecurity, and other challenges during this extraordinary time, and this fund will help us keep them healthy and safe, while boosting our ability to respond to this evolving crisis,” Olszewski said. “We’re grateful to BCF for lending their expertise and infrastructure to help Baltimore County tackle the challenges we’re facing.”

“This fund meets a pressing need for Baltimore County and represents a model for cross sector collaboration,” said Shanaysha Sauls, President and CEO of the Baltimore Community Foundation. “We are thankful for County Executive Olszewski’s leadership and tenacity in service to his residents and to the region. As a result, we can be nimble, aligned and strategic to stem the coming tide.”

Individuals, foundations and private sector donors can contribute to the fund in order to assist the county’s efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contributions to the fund may be used to support various efforts, including providing groceries to food-insecure families and seniors, ensuring first responders and public health workers have adequate personal protective equipment, and other things the county is doing to prevent the spread of the virus and support residents.

Contributions to the fund can be made at the Baltimore County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund website.