Clintonville Area Foundation awards grant
Demand for food assistance is rising at an extraordinary rate during this pandemic.
At the same time, the nation’s food banks are being struck by shortages of both donated food and volunteer workers.
That is why the Clintonville Area Foundation, working with the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, has awarded a grant for $1,500 to the Clintonville Area Food Pantry.
Michelle Lippart Hardwick, Community Foundation director of gift planning, said the grant is from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund within the Community Foundation.
Lippart Hardwick brought the fund to the Clintonville Area Foundation Board’s attention, and the local board designated the Area Food Pantry as a good place for this funding.
Incoming local board president Jill Cassiani said members were unanimous in thinking the food pantry was an important community resource, particularly in times like these.
Outgoing president Mike Hankins contacted local food pantry president Dave Schmidt.
Hankins said, “Dave’s board approved the idea and Michelle contacted Dave and walked him through the process of securing the grant.”
Cassiani added, “We really appreciate the region staff alerting us and following through with the Food Pantry to make this happen.”
Schmidt says a lot of the money will be used at local stores for extra eggs, milk and cereal for families with young children.
“Hopefully we will be able to buy enough to get us through to September when the kids go back to school,” said Schmidt.
Schmidt added that the demand for the food pantry’s help has remained steady and is expected to increase.
Schmidt said they help about 120 families a month with 40 to 50 families coming to them each week for assistance.
COVID-19 Community Response Fund
The COVID-19 Community Response Fund was established by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and United Way Fox Cities, with additional donations from the community.
Grants from this fund support nonprofit and other community organizations engaging in immediate basic needs relief, short-term response and longer-term recovery in Outagamie, Calumet, Shawano, Waupaca and the Neenah-Menasha area of Winnebago counties impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Based on the charitable structure of the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, grants are limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or other charitable organizations able to receive a tax-deductible contribution, such as schools and other public entities.
The foundation is not able to fund individuals or businesses directly, labor unions or other 501(c) (4), 501(c) (5) and 501(c) (6) organizations.
According to Lippart Hardwick, the current Phase One of granting focuses on the Fox Valley region’s most vulnerable populations and the nonprofit organizations providing urgent basic needs support such as safe shelter, food, childcare, health and financial assistance.
Since the Community Foundation and United Way established the fund March 17 with $50,000 each, many individuals, funders and businesses have contributed more than $704,000.
The needs of local nonprofit organizations are and will continue to be significant during the public health crisis and beyond.
Ongoing donations to the fund, as well as direct donations to nonprofit organizations from individuals with a passion for specific organizations and causes, are critical now and during the weeks and months to come.
The Community Foundation is waiving all credit card and administrative fees for this fund.
Every dollar donated into the fund will be put into action in the community said Lippart Hardwick.
People interested in donating to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund may donate online at www.cffoxvalley.org.
Checks payable to the Community Foundation/COVID-19 may be mailed to Community Foundation, 4455 W. Lawrence St., Appleton, WI 54914.