Appalachian Ohio Emergency Response Fund Continues to Support Basic Needs
Eleven Organizations Receive Funding to Respond to COVID-19 Crisis
Nelsonville, OH – The Appalachian Ohio Emergency Response Fund has awarded over $36,000 in grants to support nonprofits that are working to provide basic necessities to ensure the health and safety of Appalachian Ohio’s most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 crisis.
Through this round of funding, the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) awarded grants to eleven nonprofits working to make a difference across 27 counties in Appalachian Ohio. In total, the Appalachian Ohio Emergency Response Fund has now awarded over $118,000 to 29 nonprofits serving all 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. More awards will be announced in the coming weeks.
“With this round of grants, we have now supported opportunities in every one of Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties,” said Foundation for Appalachian Ohio President & CEO Cara Dingus Brook. “We are so grateful for the work our grant recipients are doing, and for the donors who have and will continue to make these grants possible.”
The most recent grantees include the 14th Street Community Center, the Cadiz Food Pantry, Children’s Hunger Alliance, HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action Organization, the Hope Emergency Program, the Jackson City Library, the Jackson Area YMCA, the Kidney Foundation of Ohio, the Logan-Hocking School District, the Ohio Valley Youth Network, and the United Way of Guernsey, Monroe and Noble Counties.
The 14th Street Community Center in Scioto County received funding to provide food and toiletry items to seniors and young adults it serves through its programs.
The Cadiz Food Pantry, operated by the Scott Memorial United Methodist Church in Harrison County, received funding to support operational expenses and additional food costs as it works to respond to growing needs in the community.
Children’s Hunger Alliance received funding to provide meals and snacks at early learning and out-of-school programs in Morgan, Perry, and Ross counties.
HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action Organization received funding to support emergency food pantry operations in Harrison County as it responds to growing community needs in partnership with local nonprofits.
The Hope Emergency Program received funding to connect populations at greater risk from COVID-19 in Adams, Brown, and Highland counties with basic needs items.
Jackson City Library received funding to support its library hot spot lending program, which helps community members connect to the internet. As more people rely upon online services as a result of social distancing guidelines, the lack of digital connectivity in many Appalachian Ohio communities is creating additional barriers to healthcare, education, and other vital services.
The Jackson Area YMCA received funding to support warm meals for seniors and disabled residents. Funding will also support the senior assistance program where YMCA staff and volunteers call roughly 400 seniors to gather and deliver essential products to seniors as the YMCA weathers decreased operating revenue.
The Kidney Foundation of Ohio received funding to support kidney patients with food, appointments to access prescription medicine, and other basic needs. Those suffering from kidney issues are especially at risk from COVID-19. The Kidney Foundation of Ohio will deploy funding to meet needs across Ashtabula, Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mahoning, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, and Washington counties.
The Logan-Hocking School District in Hocking County received funding to support the feeding of children and families in the school district and help with relevant associated costs.
The Ohio Valley Youth Network received funding to distribute weekend meals to 150 children and families that participate in its out-of-school programs from Carroll, Harrison, and Jefferson counties.
The United Way of Guernsey, Monroe and Noble Counties received funding to support organizations providing childcare during the pandemic across its three counties. Specifically, the United Way will support organizations in costs associated with increased safety and sanitation measures.
The immediate and long-term needs resulting from COVID-19 will be felt across Appalachian Ohio’s communities for quite some time and with additional gifts, the Emergency Response Fund will be here to help. Because of the generosity of donors, including many grassroots donors as well as funding partners such as DTE Energy, Osteopathic Heritage Foundations, and Peoples Bank Foundation, FAO continues to have funds available and encourages nonprofits in need of assistance to reach out and share their needs.
FAO is continuing to review grant requests. To learn how your 501(c)(3) nonprofit or public organization may request funding, or to help grow the dollars available for the next round of funding, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Coronavirus or contact FAO at 740.753.1111 or listening@ffao.org.
About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For more information about FAO, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org.
