By Lookout Staff

August 14, 2020 -- The City of Santa Monica has received more than $100,000 in donations to fund relief efforts related to the coronavirus emergency, officials reported this week.

The money will be used to distribute food and supplies to the needy -- including masks, hand sanitizer and cleaning products. It also will be used to provide supporting medical assistance and help in applying for resources from other agencies.

A combined total of $108,066 in donations to the We Are Santa Monica Fund and donations of cash and in-kind items to the City were made between March 1 and June 20, according to a report to the Council on Monday.

In-kind donations included 5,000 masks the City distributed to 14 community non-profit organizations, as well as everything from Mexican food and energy drinks to diapers and organic produce.

Of the total received, $53,523.35 was donated to the We Are Santa Monica Fund through the California Community Foundation (CCF), which distributes the money directly to community non-profit organizations, according to the report.

Another $54,542.70 in donations were received by the City's Emergency Operations Center and will be used by the City or distributed to community non-profits by the EOC logistics team.

"The EOC Director approves all distribution of donated items to the City based on City Department needs and needs identified or requested by partner non-profits," Debbie Lee, the City's chief communications officer, wrote.

"Donated items, particularly safety-related items, serve the immediate city needs as well as supplement supplies stored in preparation for potential secondary waves of COVID-19 cases," she said .

The We Are Santa Monica Fund received 111 unique donations, ranging from $5 to $10,000, according to the report. The donations, which are made to the CCF are tax deductible.

The donation policy -- which was approved at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic -- was expanded to "also allow for funds to be used for efforts related to relief from looting and civil unrest" that took place in Santa Monica on May 31, Lee said.