Roanoke, VA (January 24, 2011) – One of Foundation for Roanoke Valley’s three primary grants priorities is meeting “Basic Human Needs.” Over the past two years, the community foundation has provided in excess of $600,000 to local nonprofit programs devoted to providing the basics of food, shelter, heat, and medicine to local needy citizens. Tens of thousands of individuals and families have received assistance; however, the need for these types of services continues to rise. In response to the increased demands on local food banks, emergency shelters, and other human services programs, Foundation for Roanoke Valley has again stepped forward with major community support and has awarded $109,000 in new grants to four local nonprofit organizations.
Presbyterian Community Center (PCC) received $15,000 from the Foundation’s Marion S. and Willie Z. Camp Fund for Eldercare to support the Emergency Services program. The funds will be used to assist indigent older adult clients with rent, utility bills, and heating oil. PCC serves low-income (at or below 133% of poverty level) individuals and families residing in Southeast and Northeast Roanoke, Eastern Roanoke County and the Town of Vinton. Karen McNally, PCC Executive Director, said: “The Camp Fund grant will allow the Center to serve at least 100 more elderly clients than otherwise possible. These clients are particularly vulnerable to onerous financial burdens created by unexpected medical needs. More likely to be experiencing health problems that require medical services than those who are economically better off, they are less able to afford needed care. Even routine items, such as prescription medication, can require them to make hard choices between basic necessities and health care. Quite a few of our elderly clients often rely solely on Social Security income that is less than $800 per month. Unexpected emergencies or health issues can be catastrophic, quickly wiping out lifetime savings and threatening home ownership.”
Salem Ministers Conference Community Food Pantry received $15,000 from the Foundation’s Community Catalyst Funds to purchase food for needy families in Salem and Roanoke County. The Salem Food Pantry is open five days a week and serves approximately 1,100 low-income (at or below 150% of poverty level) individuals a month.
Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM) received $7,000 from the Foundation’s Mary Louise Home Fund to support its Emergency Financial Assistance program which assists individuals and families with rent, utility bills, and heating oil. The funds will be used to provide emergency assistance to low-income older adults residing in the cities of Roanoke, Salem and the counties of Botetourt, Craig, Franklin and Roanoke. Additionally, RAM received $3,000 from the Foundation’s Thomas P. and Lewise S. Parsley Fund to assist older adults with prescription medications. In 2009, RAM provided emergency assistance to 5,778 individuals and families, many of whom were older adults. Stu Israel, Resource Development Coordinator with RAM, noted: “All too often the elderly, living on fixed incomes, must decide between paying bills and eating or between purchasing groceries or prescription medications. RAM will now be able to assist elderly citizens and help keep them in their homes, warm during the winter and help them maintain their health.”
LOA Area Agency on Aging received $30,000 from the Foundation’s Mary Louise Home Fund to support its Heating Assistance Program, an initiative to assist needy older adults with paying heating bills once a year. The program also places heaters in the homes of older adults who have no other source of economical heat. Additionally, LOA will receive $39,000 from the Foundation’s Marion S. and Willie Z. Camp Fund for Eldercare to support its Meals-on-Wheels breakfast program. This grant will provide breakfast for approximately 40 older adults throughout 2011. Aimee Lawson, Director of Public Relations for the Agency, said: “This has been a very tough economic year for many of the seniors we serve, most of who are on a very tight and fixed income. The cost of heating a home has risen tremendously over the years while, with no increases in Social Security, their income has remained the same. This winter has also been extremely cold and windy which makes heating homes that much more costly. With respect to the breakfast funding, that grant will have a wonderful impact on our ability to meet the needs of some of our highest-risk clients. Typically our breakfast clients are nutritionally at risk, dealing with low weight issues, at or below federal poverty level, and completely dependent for preparation of all nutritionally balanced meals.”
Foundation for Roanoke Valley, the region’s community foundation, has served the Roanoke Valley for more than 20 years and currently administers over 240 named endowment funds established by individuals and families on behalf of the community. For more information about Foundation for Roanoke Valley, visit www.foundationforroanokevalley.org.
# # #
No comments:
Post a Comment