Winneshiek County Supervisors approve $16,800 in aid to groups working to lessen the impact of the pandemic

Winneshiek County Supervisors have approved a motion to financially contribute to four programs which are helping people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The county board on Monday approved giving $4,000 to each of the county's three food pantries--the NEICAC food pantry at the Smith Building; the Decorah Community Food Pantry at the Spectrum Kitchen; and the Greater Area Food Pantry in Calmar.

In addition, supervisors approved a $4,800 grant to the Decorah Mutual Aid Network, which has been set up to link volunteers with those who need help in the COVID-19 pandemic.  The money will be used to pay two to four months' wages for a part-time coordinator for the new program.

County Board Chair John Logsdon said the spending was "a pretty wise thing to do" in light of the fact that there have been more unemployment compensation claims in the last three or four days than there had been in the entire month previous.