As the pandemic swept across the state, the Kansas Health Foundation allowed many grantees to repurpose existing grants to meet immediate, COVID-related needs. In total, more than $1.3 million in existing grant funds were repurposed to help organizations pivot their priorities and reach out to their constituents.

For example, 18 Kansas communities received mini-grants of nearly $20,000 each from funds originally earmarked for consulting and technical assistance for the Healthy Communities Initiative.

In Wyandotte County, these funds supported the WyCo Mutual Aid Program, which works directly with community members on their most basic needs.

“During COVID, we’re boots on the ground, talking to the community, finding out what they need and then connecting them to resources that can best help them,” said Kimberly Weaver, co-founder of WyCo Mutual Aid.

To learn more about this initiative, please view the Health Happenings eNews video above.