A Central Indiana fund that helps provide groceries for the hungry, housing or utility relief for the destitute and other basic needs will distribute another $20,000 in Hendricks County.

The Community Economic Relief Fund started by five local philanthropies in December and administered through the United Way of Central Indiana has now invested $70,000 in Hendricks County following today’s announcement of the $20,000 donation.

Since its inception, the fund has supplemented resources of selected agencies that help people with emergencies, such as paying rent, mortgage and utility costs, food and health care.

Susie Friend, Hendricks County United Way area director, said 80 households in the county have benefited from the fund by receiving direct assistance.

A deaf couple with two children who had their electricity turned off for four days and then needed help with food because everything spoiled in their refrigerator was among the families helped by the fund, Friend said.

Throughout the region, 35 percent of the people helped through foundation funds were recently unemployed, 32 percent were unemployed more than 13 weeks, and 32 percent reported reduced employment.