In response to the current coronavirus pandemic crisis, the Yolo Community Foundation is preparing to host a five-week series of discussions focused on major community needs.

The pandemic has created an associated economic crisis that is affecting nearly every individual and family.

The panels being planned by the foundation will focus on Children & Families, Food Insecurity, Mental Health, Housing Insecurity, and What’s Next: A look toward recovery.

The Yolo COVID-19 Community Needs Series is sponsored by Sutter Health and launches on Thursday.

The Yolo Community Foundation supports giving and provides philanthropic leadership in Yolo County. The organization offers donor-advised funds and other philanthropic vehicles, donates to local nonprofits, fosters volunteerism, and supports local giving. YCF currently has more than 60 philanthropic funds valued at over $7 million and is an affiliate of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation.

The panels are hosted on Zoom, Thursdays at 11 a.m., and are open to all who are interested in learning more about the status of our community in these specific areas. Register for one event or several at www.yolocf.org.

Here’s the lineup for the series of meetings:

Children & Families on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m.: The session will feature Stacie Frerichs, Davis Arts Center; Jeneba Lahai, Yolo County Children’s Alliance; Garth Lewis, Yolo County Office of Education; Heather Sleuter, Yolo Crisis Nursery; and Tessa Smith, Resilient Yolo/Yolo County Health & Human Services.

Food Insecurity on Thursday, March 4 at 11 a.m.: The session will feature Michael Bisch, Yolo Food Bank; Aleecia Gutierrez, Mercy Coalition of West Sacramento; Cathleen Olsen, Winters Farm to School; and Christi Skibbins, Meals on Wheels Yolo County.

Mental Health on Thursday, March 11 at 11 a.m.: The session features Dr. Urmi Patel, Sutter Health; Diane Sommers, Suicide Prevention Yolo County; Tico Zendejas, RISE Inc.; and Petrea Marchand, NAMI Yolo/Consero Solutions.

Housing Insecurity on Thursday, March 18 at 11 a.m.: This session will feature Anoosh Jorjorian, ApoYolo Project; Lynnette Irlmeier, Empower Yolo; Doug Zeck, Fourth & Hope; and Sandra Sigrist, Yolo County Housing.

What’s Next: A look at recovery on Thursday, March 25 at 11 a.m. with Rachael McKinney, Sutter Davis Hospital; Jim Provenza, Yolo County Board of Supervisors; and Evan Schmidt, Valley Vision.