Farmworkers' COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund

Who is this fund for? 

An estimated two to three million farmworkers do life-sustaining work to feed us through their labor, bringing fruits, vegetables and other crops to homes across the nation. Of these workers, an estimated 900,000 of the workforce are women. As the country is learning, their work is critical, yet they and their work have not been properly valued. Despite their critical contributions, farmworkers often live in the shadows of our society and are subject to substandard working conditions. Farmworkers are excluded from some of the most basic labor protections and are at risk of wage theft, rampant sexual harassment and severe occupational injuries from heavy machinery, sharp implements and other unsafe conditions. Exposure to harmful pesticides is also a major issue as it can lead to rashes, headaches, nausea and more serious health consequences like miscarriage and child deformity. 

Why was the fund created? 

The COVID-19 pandemic is expanding into rural America, and these communities may be among the hardest hit due to their demographics and lack of resources. Justice for Migrant Women (J4MW) is gravely concerned about the health and welfare of the farmworker community, their families and the security of our entire food supply. It is our hope that farmworkers are not forgotten or left behind. J4MW has joined with Hispanics In Philanthropy to raise funds to address the immediate needs of the farmworker community and mitigate the risks of the pandemic. 

How will these funds be used? 

Now, more than ever, farmworkers need our support during these uncertain times. Funds raised will go directly to farmworkers to help them purchase basic, yet essential, materials for their families, including groceries, hygienic supplies, diapers, formula and medical supplies as well as to assist them with payments for rent, utilities and medical care expenses. 

In addition, to help limit the impact of the virus on the farmworker community, acclaimed fashion designer Mario De La Torre has teamed up with J4MW, Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and the National Center for Farmworker Health to launch the #Masks4Farmworkers campaign, which will provide thousands of masks so that farmworkers and healthcare professionals who serve them have much-needed protective wear in order to safely perform their jobs. To date we have raised $83,285 (included in the second bar) earmarked specifically for mask distribution and up to 5% of the rest of the fund will be earmarked for face mask purchases.

How will the funds be distributed? 

Grants from this collective fund will be awarded directly to non-profit organizations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico who will distribute much-needed resources and goods to meet the basic needs of farmworker community members.

Our partners include:

Coalition of Florida Farmworker Organizations (FL), East Coast Migrant Head Start Project (Multi-state), Farmworker Association of Florida (FL), The United Farm Workers Foundation (CA, WA), Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noreste (OR), Redlands Christian Migrant Association (FL), PathStone Corporation (Multi-state), NC FIELD (NC), La Cooperativa Campesina de California (CA), Proteus, Inc. (CA), Student Action with Farmworkers (NC), Telamon Corporation (Multi-state), UMOS (WI, MN), La Union del Pueblo Entero (TX), Campesinos Sin Fronteras (AZ),  Rural & Migrant Ministry (NY), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) (PR), Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (MD), Campaign for Migrant Worker Justice (OH, NC), HOLA Ohio (OH), Community to Community Development (WA), Idaho Organization of Resource Councils (ID), Pioneer Valley Workers Center (MA), Migrant Justice (VT), Child and Migrant Services, Inc. (CO), Called to Serve Farmworkers, Inc. (FL), Southeast Georgia Communities Project (GA), El Comité de Apoyo a los Trabajadores Agrícolas (CATA) (NJ, PA, MD, DE), Hispanic Federation - Puerto Rico (PR), Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project (IL), Illinois Migrant Council (IL), Proteus Employment Opportunities Inc. (IA, IN, NE), Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation (CO), Workers Center of Central New York (NY), Project Gettysburg-Leon/Casa de la Cultura (PA), Vecinos Farmworker Health Program (NC), Pinal Hispanic Council (AZ), Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund (MO), Rural Employment Opportunities, Inc. (MT), Bienestar Inc. (OR), Westminster Free Clinic (CA), Community Action Program for Central Arkansas (CAPCA, Inc.) (AR, LA), Community Council of Idaho (ID), Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (CVLAS) (VA), and La Conexion de Wood County (OH).

Please support: 

Please donate $25 today to help support the farmworkers who feed our nation. Checks must be made payable in the name of “Hispanics In Philanthropy.” In the check memo line, please write “Farmworkers’ Pandemic Relief Fund.” Please mail checks to Hispanics In Philanthropy at 414 13th Street, Suite 200, Oakland, CA 94612. 

You can also help raise awareness by sharing this sample post: 

Farmworkers do life-sustaining work and put their lives and health at risk by continuing to work in the fields during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am thanking them through my donation to the Farmworkers’ Pandemic Relief Fund. Join me in showing our gratitude and support today!