Second Round of Grants Awarded from Appalachian Ohio Emergency Response Fund
Six Organizations Receive Funding to Respond to COVID-19 Crisis
Nelsonville, OH – The Appalachian Ohio Emergency Response Fund’s second round of grants supports 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 over $26,000 to six nonprofits working to make a difference across 13 counties in Appalachian Ohio. In total, through both this round of grants and awards announced last week, the Emergency Response Fund has now awarded nearly $50,000 to ten nonprofits serving 19 Appalachian Ohio counties, and more awards will soon be announced through additional rounds of grants in the weeks to come.
Second round grantees include the City of Belpre, Guernsey County Senior Center, Hocking Hills Inspire Shelter, National Church Residences, Southern Ohio Makers Against COVID Coalition, and Welcome Home SIS.
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 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 its meal delivery to seniors.
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.
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.
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.
Welcome Home SIS in Guernsey County helps women transition from the criminal justice system to their lives outside. Welcome Home SIS expressed a need to help connect the people they serve with telehealth and counseling appointments, online education, and job searches to assist in rehabilitation efforts through computers. Typically, women in the program relied on access to public computers which represents a significant challenge under the current stay-at-home order. These dollars will also be used to support additional women as they are released.
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, FAO continues to have funds available and encourages nonprofits in need of assistance to reach out and share their needs.
For more information about FAO’s Appalachian Ohio Emergency Response Fund and how eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public organizations may request funding, or to support the fund with a gift today, 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.
