As it has everywhere, COVID-19 has rapidly slowed Columbia’s economy, particularly when it comes to restaurants, events and other businesses that make their money by bringing people together. And Free Times, which relies on these very businesses to buy the bulk of our ads, is feeling the strain, too.

The paper must fight through this new financial challenge while continuing to provide important local news and information as a public service during this unprecedented crisis.

If you believe local news and information — and continued updates about local arts, food and drink — are important, and wish to keep them around during and after these trying days, please donate to help us keep up the work.

Contributions to this fund will help pay for news resources to cover the impact of the virus on our local communities, information on testing sites, which businesses are open and more. All donations are tax-deductible.

Thank you for your support of Free Times during this critical time!

The Free Times — COVID-19 Local News Fund is a program administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association. LMF is raising funds for educational activities; specifically, to educate the public on COVID-19 issues. LMF is providing funds to this news organization and many others to support this important educational project. All money raised by this effort will go directly to support COVID-19 reporting, to make sure the public has essential facts on this important topic.

Free Times - COVID-19 Local News Fund

By COVID-19 Local News Fund (via Local Media Foundation)

Free Times - COVID-19 Local News Fund

Give to support Free Times as we cover the coronavirus crisis in our communities.