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Food pantries, shelters receive federal grants
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009
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Grants from federal stimulus funds were distributed to four Calvert County nonprofits last week, helping feed and shelter families in need.
The United Way of Calvert County, which acted as the local board administrator for Emergency Food and Shelter funds, distributed $18,441 in grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) wrote Jennifer Moreland, director of community and resource development for the United Way of Calvert County.
Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry received some funds through the grant which "is strictly for food," director Cathy Ring said.
Since kids have gone back to school, the food pantry has seen an increase in clients, Ring said.
"It was good timing because our shelves were empty," she said.
On Tuesday, Sept. 28, the pantry served 42 families and the Thursday night before it served 54 families, an increase from the normal numbers in the high 20s and lower 30s, Ring said.
"It's a lifeline for us, we definitely appreciate it," she said.
St. Anthony's Church Ladies of Charity from North Beach was also provided with grant money for food, which will help them increase the variety and amount of food they can provide, said organizer Maureen Hudson.
"It's a great blessing for us to have this additional funding. We're grateful that God has continued to bless our efforts," said Hudson, adding that she also wanted to thank Jennifer Moreland for the United Way's support.
Project ECHO received $4,500 through the grant, which will be used for operating expenses, said Bill Stanton, president of the board.
"It is not used for one particular thing," he said.
Project ECHO has a fairly small operating budget at $180,000 a year and provided 6,583 bed nights last year, Stanton said.
Catholic Charities of Calvert County Director Nicole Quinn said the grant money will be used for rent, mortgage and utility assistance for clients. Clients who obtain assistance normally work full time but are out of work on a short term basis and need assistance to get back on track, she said.
"It's going to help us."
The United Way of Calvert County retained $369 for administrative duties.
The Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) announced recently that Maryland received $1.4 million for ARRA-funded Emergency Food and Shelter Grants, a press release stated.
