The Bronx Defenders is organizing its second annual virtual race campaign, “Go the Distance for Families,” from Monday, June 7, 2021, to Tuesday, July 6, 2021, to benefit our Client Emergency Fund.

COVID-19 pandemic has killed over 33,000 people in New York City and initiated the worst economic downturn in almost a century. As the health crisis unfolded, The Bronx was disproportionately impacted.

Thanks to individuals like you, the Client Emergency Fund helped Bronx residents, who were already struggling with legal issues, weather the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic and racial justice crises. Rapid, flexible, emergency direct support enabled us to help them purchase food, clothing, personal protection equipment, and cover expenses related to housing, moving, storage, vital documents, and other essentials.

While New York City is slowly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, there are looming crises ahead.

The Bronx continues to have the highest rate of hospitalizations and the highest rate of deaths due to COVID-19. More than 220,000 tenants across New York State are on the brink of eviction. Currently, 40% of New York City households cannot cover the cost of food because they are out of work. In fact, data collected from September 2020 through April 2021 highlights increased food-related needs for the people we serve. One out of every four requests to the Client Emergency Fund during the time frame we tracked was for groceries.

Register to Go the Distance for Families today. Start a fundraiser. And make a contribution now.