Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is one of the beneficiaries of a $1 million commitment by City National Bank (CNB), Florida’s Big Bank Alternative, to support South Florida organizations confronting the Coronavirus pandemic and its resulting economic impacts.
The City National Bank fund will target three areas of critical need: community hospitals and healthcare providers on the frontlines; nonprofits addressing the food insecurity crisis; and organizations that serve vulnerable segments of the population, including those with special needs or experiencing homelessness.
At Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, the City National Bank gift will help offset $3 million in additional costs as a result of the pandemic, which includes COVID-19 testing, supplies such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and workforce-related costs. Learn more about the Nicklaus Children’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.
“Communities in all corners of Florida are in dire need of additional support due to a pandemic and economic crisis that were unforeseen just six months ago,” City National Bank Vice Chairman & CEO Jorge Gonzalez said. “CNB supports more than 300 nonprofits annually, but this year we’re stepping up with additional funding for organizations that are making a direct, measurable impact in areas of great need related to the pandemic.”
“We appreciate the generosity of City National Bank to help safeguard Nicklaus Children’s Hospital during COVID-19 so we can continue to do what we do best – provide the very best care to our patients whose needs don’t stop because of a pandemic,” said Perry Ann Reed, President of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Nicklaus Children’s Health System.
To date, there have been more than 670,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state, with nearly 13,000 fatalities. The virus is also taking a toll on Florida’s workforce, with more than 1.97 million residents of the state having filed for unemployment benefits as the pandemic puts a strain on businesses across the state.
The unprecedented demand for healthcare resources has left hospitals stretched thin, and members of the medical community are putting their lives on the line to save others. With so much uncertainty, health systems are in dire need of equipment, supplies and manpower. In addition, food insecurity in the state is at an all-time high. According to a recent report, Florida currently ranks as the seventh-worst state for food insecurity in the U.S.
See the full list of nonprofits City National Bank is supporting at https://www.citynationalcm.com/home/home.