The Board of the Polk County Community Foundation created a new grant fund- Seasonal Assistance Grants for Charitable Programs- to help local organizations provide direct assistance to people in need of help this winter.
The foundation created this $35,000 fund from its unrestricted funds. Applications were received one week and checks were mailed the following week in order to provide timely assistance to many worthwhile seasonal programs.
Grants were awarded to Big Brothers /Big Sisters (Polk County) to provide gift bags of food for the holidays for the families of the Little Brothers and Little Sisters; to the Polk County Department of Social Services to help people in crisis heat their homes; and to the Polk County Middle School to provide basic clothing, personal hygiene items and school supplies to middle school students who need such assistance.
The Polk County Sheriffs Department received a grant to enable the distribution of toys, food vouchers and fuel oil vouchers to less fortunate people in the county. Baskets of fruit and food staples will be delivered to elderly households in the Eastside community by volunteers at the Roseland Community Center who applied for and received a grant. Steps to HOPE plans to use its grant to assist its clients by purchasing toys, gifts and seasonal clothing for children and by helping clients with basic needs. Food vouchers will be purchased with grant funds and distributed by the Columbus Fire Department.
The Zion Grove A.M.E. Zion Church plans to use its grant to throw a Christmas social. Its grant application stated, “During the holiday season, most charities will receive and distribute canned goods and non-perishable items. Hopefully, most will get a home-cooked meal during the holiday season.
However, during these challenging times, it is probably very unlikely that the elderly or those in need will enjoy a night out to dinner. Most of us (those more fortunate) will attend some type of party or social gathering, but there are many needy families who continue to live day to day and stress from trying to make rent or utility payments.”
Volunteers from five area churches, “Unity in the Community,” are planning a catered dinner served by volunteers in a festive atmosphere with live music and singers to make needy families feel special and loved. Those who attend will leave with a fruit or gift basket.
The Polk County Community Foundation is able to make these grants because of funds donated to the foundation by local philanthropists who did not place any restrictions on their donations. This allows the foundation the freedom to address the needs and wants of the community as they change from time to time.
Bertha B. Brown, John Lewis and Ramona H. Craddock, Paul Culberson, Marjorie Deobald, Harry and Dixie Evans, Paula St. George Joyce, Werner Mueller, Edwena Lee Ongar, Lawrence Pexton, Allan Safford, Dorcas R. Sparr, and Esther Wallace made recent unrestricted planned gifts to the Community Foundation.
For more information regarding grants, scholarships or charitable giving options, please contact the Polk County Community Foundation by visiting us at 255 South Trade Street in Tryon, calling 828-859-5314, or checking www.polkccf.org.