Five Local Agencies Will Benefit From $5,000 in Community Support Fund Awards
WATERTOWN — The Northern New York Community Foundation will award $5,000 from its COVID-19 Community Support Fund to strengthen inventories at five local food pantries serving St. Lawrence River-area communities. These agencies were expected to receive proceeds from this year’s “Punkin’ Chunkin” event in the Village of Clayton, as they have in past years.
The Foundation’s COVID-19 Community Support Fund, which was created to provide support for essential needs during the public health pandemic, will allocate five $1,000 grants to food pantries impacted by the cancellation of the annual event in Clayton. The grant recipients are:
- Alexandria Bay Community Food Pantry, 315-486-9322
- Cape Vincent Food Pantry, 315-654-2438
- Clayton Council of Churches Food Pantry for the Clayton Food Pantry, 315-686-4809
- Gwen’s Food Pantry, LaFargeville, 315-658-4796
- Theresa Food Pantry, 315-628-1902
“It is understandable that the event isn’t going to happen this year, but we want to fill the void to help ensure the pantries are minimally impacted by the cancellation,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director.
The Community Foundation established its Community Support Fund in March with an initial $50,000 in funding to address immediate challenges across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties that emerged in the wake of the pandemic. The fund continues to grow thanks to many generous gifts from individual donors, families, and corporate and community partners.
Grants from the COVID-19 Community Support Fund were awarded to help local food pantries and Foundation partner agencies in the early stages of the pandemic. As the region’s needs evolve, the fund will continue to offer key support to nonprofits that provide essential services.
Contact Kraig Everard, Community Foundation director of stewardship and programs at kraig@nnycf.org or 315-782-7110 to learn more about the COVID-19 Community Support Fund. Foundation staff evaluates requests on a consistent and frequent basis. Visit www.nnycf.org/home/covid19 for complete details.
To help extend the reach of the effort and join other supporters, make a gift to: Northern New York Community Foundation COVID-19 Community Support Fund, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601. Secure online giving is available at www.nnycf.org.
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.