As we celebrated a new year and a new decade on January 1, never did we imagine the challenges that we would soon find ourselves surrounded by.

But as COVID-19 has taken our nation and globe by storm, and the ugliness of inequities in this country have been elevated to the forefront, we have also witnessed our community binding together through this time.

At the Hope Through Housing Foundation, like many other nonprofits, we are committed to caring for children, families, and seniors in need every day – and that mission has not paused during this pandemic. In fact, as needs have increased, so have our efforts to ensure residents across 32 affordable housing sites within the Inland Empire are safe and well cared for.

What an encouraging time it has been as individuals, churches, companies, and community organizations have stepped up to help those most in need.

God’s Pantry, a local nonprofit food bank, as well as Feeding America, have provided thousands of pounds of food for distribution to those who are homebound or needing supplemental groceries.

Niagara Water donated a pallet of water, SoCalGas sponsored hot meals, and the Ontario Fury soccer team helped deliver a Mother’s Day lunch door-to-door to seniors in Montclair.

Even as local churches have shifted to virtual Sunday services, they have continued to find ways to serve our community.

Red Chapel in Rancho Cucamonga engaged their families and youth to collect and fill 100 care bags for those in need. Hillside Community Church has helped to distribute goods to local residents, collected care bags, and opened their facility to help us accept a donation of 42 pallets of personal hygiene items, school supplies, food, baby supplies, and pet food.

In partnership with National CORE, Gregg Electric, and many volunteers, Amazon products were distributed to 68 affordable housing sites across SoCal within a matter of days.

And many individuals and foundations are contributing financially to help ensure the continued work of Hope and many other local nonprofits. To learn more about our COVID-19 Fund, visit www.HTHF.org/relief or check out www.IEUW.org/COVID-19 for additional resources and opportunities to help our community.

Let’s continue to make this time of crisis a time of hope as we bind together!