Like all of you, Binc has been focused on the COVID-19 pandemic for the last three months. We are proud and honored to be a part of helping more than 500 households and 1625+ stores get through this emergency. We have seen and heard how this unprecedented emergency has tried to overwhelm store owners and employees. Throughout the past twelve weeks, people have been focused on COVID, sometimes at the expense of other emergencies and unexpected events in their lives.
A recent Kaiser Health News article highlighted what we had suspected since March. They found that nearly half of Americans said they or a family member has skipped or delayed medical care because of the pandemic, and 11% of them said the person’s condition worsened as a result of the delayed care. We know from our experience that putting off medical and dental care can lead to more serious issues. This is why helping pay medical expenses has always been a huge priority for Binc.
We have also read that incidents of domestic violence have risen as mandated stay-at-home orders put more strain on already precarious relationships. The New York Times and other sources report that confinement has led to an increase in violence at home. Individuals who find themselves in these dangerous situations have fewer opportunities to escape their abuser during the pandemic. Binc urges anyone in this situation to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233.
While many landlords, mortgage companies, and utility companies are helping in the short term by deferring payments during the pandemic, we know that this could just be a temporary fix. Once these payments come due, there may be a spike in requests from individuals needing help to prevent eviction or utility shut-off.
Now that the country is beginning to open up, and life is taking the first steps toward getting back on track, we want to remind booksellers, comic retailers, and store owners to contact us if you are experiencing a financial emergency. Hardship isn’t measured on the number of people impacted, it is only measured by the impact it has on you. Above and beyond the pandemic – whatever the emergency or circumstance – Binc has your back!
If an unexpected emergency prevents you from being able to pay your household expenses, please contact Binc at 866-733-9064 or help@bincfoundation.org.