Alameda County Disaster Relief Funds and PPE Donations

county seal

A message from:
Board of Supervisors
Susan S. Muranishi, County Administrator

April 10, 2020

Alameda County has a proud history of stepping up to help those in need during times of emergency and disaster. The crisis we currently face is like none other in recent history. We are just beginning to understand and address the scope of what lays ahead. What we do know, without doubt, is that many of our fellow employees as well as members of our communities are going to struggle with unforeseen challenges in the days, weeks and months ahead.

The COVID-19 pandemic and related emergency declarations and public health orders are impacting our employees, residents and community partners. As we all strive to flatten the curve and support our most vulnerable populations, the number of people affected by the virus will certainly climb.

To help address the growing needs, we are reactivating the Alameda County Disaster Relief Funds to enable Alameda County employees, residents and members of our community to voluntarily make cash and/or online donations to benefit those directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The extraordinary impact of the far-reaching COVID pandemic on our community prompt us once again to ask the philanthropic, business, private, public non-profit and other sectors to support vital needs through our COVID-19 Disaster Relief Funds.

The Board of Supervisors approved reactivation of the Disaster Relief Funds at its meeting on March 31, 2020, a fund it initially established in response to September 11, 2001. It has been reactivated numerous times in response to tragedies including Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Northern Japan Earthquake/Tsunami in 2011 and the fatal Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland in 2016 and the 2018 California wildfires.

Due to the enormous and varied needs facing the community and the health care systems at this time, the county has established two separate funds:

The first is the COVID-19 Disaster Relief Emergency Fund that will provide needed services to those directly affected by the pandemic. All monetary contributions will assist our residents that are directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will provide emergency relief to families, youth and seniors that may need assistance. Support will include needs such as emergency child care, shelter and food aid, personal protective equipment (PPE), continuation of client benefits, emergency relief for community based partners and other services directly related to combating the pandemic. (Any employee donations including “converting” 5 days of leave time will be deposited into the Emergency Fund.)

The second is the COVID-19 Disaster Relief Recovery Fund that will accept cash donations to purchase PPE and other supplies to assist those fighting the pandemic, such as first responders, emergency workers and health care providers. Donations will be accepted from individuals, philanthropy and businesses.

Cash donations may be contributed by sending a personal check payable to the Alameda County Disaster Relief Fund c/o the Auditor-Controller Agency, 1221 Oak Street, Room 238, Oakland, CA 94612 (Tax ID # 94-6000501). Credit card donations can be made through the Disaster Relief Fund website.

In addition to the Emergency and Recovery Funds, the County is also organizing donations of much needed personal protective equipment (PPE). We can only accept new items in original packaging.

Supplies we need include:

  • N95 or P100 Respirator Masks
  • Surgical Masks
  • Protective Gowns
  • Disposable Gloves
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Disinfectants & Wipes
  • Goggles & Eye Protection

To donate please visit: https://acgovcares.org/#ppedonations

County employees may also have the option to donate up to 5 days of their accrued vacation time, compensatory time, holiday in-lieu time and/or COVID-19 paid administrative leave towards the Emergency Fund. To donate time, visit the Employee Disaster Relief Fund webpage on ALCOWEB.

We thank each and every one of you for your generosity of spirit. Because of your contributions, together, we are able to support each other in the face of crisis and uncertain times.