On Wednesday, the Palo Alto Community Fund announced its new COVID-19 Relief Fund to help vulnerable families of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park during the coronavirus pandemic, which has triggered a statewide stay-at-home order and impacted many businesses.

According to a press release, the organization will start with a $100,000 package divided into grants for local nonprofit organizations, including LifeMoves, which provides services for homeless individuals and families, and Ravenswood Education Foundation, which supports students and families of the Ravenswood City School District. It will also continue to assist nonprofits as more donations come in.

"The Palo Alto Community Fund is ready to step in to relieve immediate hardships for people in our local neighborhoods," said Missy Reller, board president of the Palo Alto Community Fund, in a statement. "We are grateful to be able to allocate our first wave of support this week and provide targeted local funding at this unprecedented time."

The fund will go towards organizations focused on different needs, such as food insecurity, medical support, housing and direct financial support. Ecumenical Hunger Program, Ravenswood Family Health Center and Project WeHope are among the 13 organizations benefiting from the relief fund.

Donations to the PACF COVID-19 relief fund can be made online here or by mailing a check to Palo Alto Community Fund, P.O. Box 50634, Palo Alto, CA 94303.

Find comprehensive coverage on the Midpeninsula's response to the new coronavirus by Palo Alto Online, the Mountain View Voice and the Almanac here.