A fund established by the United Way of the Columbia Gorge and the Healthy Gorge Initiative has awarded more than $62,000 in grants within the past month to 13 local nonprofits to address the immediate needs faced by these organizations and their clients.  A statement from the Gorge COVID-19 Community Response Fund will continue to review applications on a weekly basis and award funds while they are available.  Grants have been given to the Hood River Adult Center, FISH Food Bank, Backpacks 4 Kids, Windy River Gleaners, Youth Empowerment Shelter, White Salmon Education Foundation, Meals on Wheels in The Dalles, Hope Clinic, Columbia Gorge Food bank, Washington Gorge Action Program, Mid-Columbia Senior Center, Double Mountain Foundation and HAVEN.  To donate securely online, go to https://www.unitedwaycolumbiagorge.org/give.  To send a check or money order, please make it payable to the United Way of the Columbia Gorge and mail it to P.O. Box 2 in Hood River, zip code 97031.