Even as the spread of Covid-19 is decreasing, there is still a great need in the Valley for struggling families with kids.

Some relief is coming in the form of stimulus payments and that child care tax credit which President Joe Biden says can cut child poverty rates in half.

Volunteers from the Monument of Faith Church of God In Christ directed traffic and put boxes of food in trunks of cars, SUV's and trucks.

Pastors from other churches, business leaders, people from non-profit agencies along with volunteers from the community for this team effort helped people in need due to the pandemic.

Jay Redd, Outreach Coordinator for Monument of Faith C.O.G.I.C. in Warren said, "I see the need here and in Cuyahoga County. You would not believe the level of people that need these food boxes."

Redd went on to explain some people when they look inside they see a box of food, while others receiving this blessing see this food as a way to put food on their tables, to feed their kids or their mom or grandmother or grandfather or it's a way they can pay another bill.

Bishop David L. Herron Sr. Pastor of the Monument of Faith Church of God in Christ, told WFMJ News his church partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Farmers to Families program.

"We have around 500 to 600 boxes containing meat, dairy and fresh produce to give to families," said Bishop Herron. "If you can take the burden off someone going to the grocery store, and the burden of not worrying if they have to pay a bill, or do something to be able to help their children, it would be a great help."

Herron emphasized, "The need of so many families, the unemployment situation, the crisis of course due to COVID-19. There are so many families struggling. We saw many people coming through the lines that we would not normally see soliciting food, these are people who are working, folks going through situations where the jobs were curtailed, some are on unemployment and benefits are running low, so we decided this would be a great time to come and do what we can to help them."

21 News asked Pastor Herron about the stimulus dollars, and about the child tax credit being increased and eligibility broadened.

"It is a hand up and a hand extended to those people who can potentially go out and do something they could not do. ... We thank the administration and all concerned parties that have put forth services like this. People right now want to move forward in their lives. This is the first beautiful day of spring, and it's a great blessing. We hope we are moving forward in the right direction said," Herron.

The expansion and increase of the child tax credit are expected to help lift millions of families with children out of poverty.

The provision that many believe will be life-changing for parents will be the IRS recurring monthly payments from July to December, then providing the rest in a lump sum the next tax season for children up to age 17.

This change in the child tax credit will last for one year.

Roberta Jones, a volunteer, and member of Monument of Faith C.O.G.I.C in Warren said, "The child tax credit will help out, at the same time people will be able to do some things for their families that they have not been able to do."

The child tax credit is for a parent who earns less than $75,000 or a couple with children earning less than $150,000.

Single parents who file as head of household and make under $112,500 a year are also eligible.

As earnings increase the rates phase out.

The rate paid increases to $3,600 for children under age six, and it pays up to $3,000 for children up to age 17.

A tax credit to help offset the cost of child care was also increased with a full credit of up to $4,000 for a child, and up to $8,000 for two children or more.

Critics say there are no specific spending requirements on money from the Child Tax Credit, and they add people's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will end up paying the bill for this stimulus package.