Palmetto Goodwill receives $100K grant for COVID-19 relief efforts

Palmetto Goodwill announced it received a $100,000 grant from Truist Financial Corporation to continue offering workforce assistance services through its virtual and walk-in Career Opportunity Centers.

The grant is part of the financial services company’s Truist Cares initiative, a $25 million philanthropic pledge to support basic needs, medical supplies and financial hardship relief due to COVID-19.

“Palmetto Goodwill estimates that the number of individuals economically affected by COVID-19 will increase by 125% in the month of July,” stated Ilze Astad, Palmetto Goodwill’s director of grants and programs. “The economic reality of disruption due to the pandemic can’t be understated. Layoffs have disproportionally affected people with less education. Particularly vulnerable are those already living in poverty, living paycheck to paycheck, or were previously unemployed or underemployed.”

The Truist Charitable Fund grant will allow Palmetto Goodwill to serve close to 200 additional unemployed individuals in need of career credentialing programs, workforce services, and finding sustainable employment.

“With so many people experiencing economic hardship due to the impacts of COVID-19, we are pleased to support Palmetto Goodwill in their efforts to provide workforce assistance services,” said Mike Brenan, South Carolina regional president for Truist. “These efforts directly align with our purpose, which is to inspire and build better lives and communities.”