Appalachian Ohio Emergency Response Fund Grant Awards
Grant awards from the Appalachian Ohio Emergency Response Fund focused on supporting nonprofits and public organizations that are working to provide basic necessities and ensure the health and safety of Appalachian Ohio’s most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 crisis.
Grantees
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.
Access Tusc received funding to support its Bridges to Wellness program through the purchase of formula, wipes, and diapers, as well as groceries and other essential items for families in Tuscarawas County, while growing the program to Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, and Muskingum counties. The Bridges to Wellness program supports at-risk individuals and families identified by service providers including Job and Family Services, doctors’ offices, and hospitals.
The Alliance Family Health Center received funding to support a mobile health unit to provide telehealth and COVID-19 testing in nursing homes and homeless shelters in Carroll, Columbiana, and Mahoning counties. Grant dollars will also be used to offset lost revenue to allow the organization to continue providing essential medical services in these communities.
The Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Region 9 received funding to create a basic needs “closet” to provide cleaning supplies, hygiene items, and other essential items that AAA staff can take from and immediately deliver to seniors in Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Muskingum, and Tuscarawas counties. As Ohioans continue to stay at home to socially distance and follow public health recommendations, older adults and disabled individuals at higher risk for COVID-19 are less able to meet basic needs, especially if they are without support systems to acquire these essential items.
The Ashtabula YMCA received funding to support childcare needs for essential employees.
Backpack Buddies in Lawrence County received funding to provide daily meals for 500 children in the Rock Hill Local School District. Grant dollars will also be used to increase support for the emergency food pantry it operates while meeting increased demand as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
The Bethel Ridge Food Pantry in Jackson County received funding to support the creation and delivery of emergency hygiene and cleaning kits for 50 families, reaching predominantly senior clients.
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.
The City of Belpre in Washington County received funding to purchase additional protective equipment for first responders as they respond to emergency calls in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Clermont Family YMCA, located in Batavia, received funding to assist with immediate needs for Y clients, including providing meals and groceries for families through the Clermont County YMCA’s Family Relief Hub and distributing meals to those unable to travel to food distribution locations.
Coleman Professional Services, Inc received funding to support telehealth services and provide personal protective equipment to staff and clients in Jefferson, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties.
Community Food Initiatives will be ensuring that fresh produce reaches 45 pantries,13 schools, and local donation stations serving Athens, Meigs, Morgan, Vinton, and Washington counties for the next two months. This produce will supplement shelf stable food items while also supporting local farms. By purchasing the food directly from local farmers and producers, Community Food Initiatives will support farmers whose businesses have suffered without being able to sell to restaurants and others.
The Family Recovery Center received funding to create Resilience Bags, which it will distribute to people served by food banks, children’s services, and similar service providers.
The Gallia Downtown Revitalization Project received funding to support food delivery to Gallia County residents.
The Guernsey County Senior Center received funding to support operational costs for senior meal delivery. In order to ensure social distancing while limiting contact with the vulnerable senior population, the Senior Center has doubled the number of meals it is delivering to seniors.
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.
Helping Appalachian Rural Peoples (HARP) received funding for supplies to help with emergency housing repairs for seniors and veterans to ensure that they are able to remain in their homes. HARP serves Belmont, Guernsey, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, and Washington counties.
The Hocking County Diaper Bank received funding to respond to an increased demand for diapers, wipes, formula, and basic feeding essentials for infants whose families are unable to provide them. The Diaper Bank provides diapers for babies up until the age of three. Due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis, the need for diapers and other essentials is continuing to grow in the Hocking County community.
The Hocking Hills Inspire Shelter is expanding its hours during the stay-at-home order. Usually open from the evening through the morning, the shelter has expanded hours to serve those experiencing homelessness 24 hours a day. Funding will support increased personnel expenses as a result of the expanded hours.
Hocking County Community Hospital received funding to increase its capacity to treat an expected surge of COVID-19 patients through the conversion of existing spaces to negative pressure rooms, additional sanitizer stations, and supplemental training and education for hospital staff.
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.
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.
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 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.
National Church Residences, serving Belmont, Muskingum, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Washington counties, received funding to support the purchase of basic needs items for seniors in eight assisted living facilities, including paper products, cleaning supplies, and food. With fewer transportation options and the need for seniors to stay home, acquiring basic needs and other home staples has become more challenging.
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 Salvation Army of Northeast Ohio received funding to supplement food pantry operations in Columbiana, Guernsey, Jefferson, and Tuscarawas counties. Economic disruptions from COVID-19 have dramatically increased the number of people relying on local pantries for food as well as for basic needs.
The Shawnee Family Health Center received funding to support equipment for increased telehealth appointments in Adams, Lawrence, and Scioto counties.
Southern Ohio Makers Against COVID Coalition serves 17 counties including Athens, Brown, Clermont, Highland, Jackson, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Washington counties in Appalachian Ohio. A grassroots coalition of 139 educators and others with access to 3D printers, funding will support the purchase of filament to print 1,000 face shields for medical personnel, first responders, and others at greater risk of exposure to COVID-19.
The St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Peter Parish in New Richmond received funding to support the most vulnerable in their community by providing assistance with food, clothing, medicine, and housing to those in need across their service area in Clermont County.
St. Vincent de Paul in Perry County received funding to support county-wide feeding efforts as they work to keep up with increased demand. During this time, they are providing food distribution, as well as financial assistance for utility payments, rent, and temporary housing.
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.
Urban Mission received funding to support food delivery to meet increased needs in Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, and Jefferson counties.
The Village of Somerset in Perry County received funding to support safety improvements at the farmers market. These improvements will help ensure proper social distancing and sanitizing opportunities as the market restarts summer operations.
Welcome Home SIS in Guernsey County helps women transition from the criminal justice system to their lives outside, and received funding to support additional clients and to purchase computers to increase access to telehealth and counseling appointments, online education, and job searches essential for rehabilitation on-site.
The immediate and long-term needs resulting from COVID-19 will be felt across Appalachian Ohio’s communities for quite some time. The Emergency Response Fund is focusing now on enhancing digital connectivity and fostering youth resiliency.
To support FAO’s work to continue meeting the greatest needs facing our communities, click here and support the I’m a Child of Appalachia Fund with a gift today. To discuss how the children of Appalachian Ohio can continue banding together to support the nonprofits protecting our seniors, caring for patients, feeding our children, and carrying Appalachian Ohio forward, contact FAO at 740.753.1111 or info@ffao.org.
