FREEPORT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS $118,691 in grants. $50,000 earmarked for FCF Food Insecurity Initiative:
The Freeport Community Foundation Board of Directors announced the disbursement of $118,691 in Community Needs grants, including $50,000 proactively awarded to Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) and River Bend Food Bank. These funds were awarded from the Community Needs/Marvin Unrestricted Fund and the Craig Wilson Trust. The joint Food Insecurity Initiative will provide the two regional food banks with $25,000 each toward increased food distributions with member pantries and programs throughout Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll counties.
Recipients, projects and awards include:
| Northern Illinois Food Bank | Food Insecurity Initiative | $25,000.00 | |
| River Bend Food Bank | Food Insecurity Initiative | $25,000.00 | |
| Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy | Vaccination for Latinx | $15,000.00 | |
| JDLF Gives | Veggie Vouchers | $7,000.00 | |
| Amity Society of Freeport | Door Safety | $6,845.00 | |
| Timber Lake Playhouse | TLP ED Program Fall 2021 | $6,500.00 | |
| Senior Resource Center | Healthcare Transit Project | $6,200.00 | |
| Riverview Center | Empowering Survivor Activities | $5,000.00 | |
| CONTACT of Northern Illinois | Crisis Helpline | $4,534.00 | |
| VOICES of Stephenson County | New VOICES Website | $4,300.00 | |
| Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation | Youth & Family Programming | $4,222.00 | |
| Freeport Art Museum | smArt After School | $3,650.00 | |
| RAMP | Access to Services | $3,640.00 | |
| United Way of Northwest Illinois | Warren IL Senior Academy | $1,800.00 | |
These proactive grants awarded by the FCF Board of Directors are the first of three phases in the organization’s newly launched Food Insecurity Initiative. For Phase Two, the FCF will donate 50 percent of unrestricted donations received between October 1 and December 31, 2021 to partnering nonprofit organizations dedicated to addressing local food insecurity needs. Details of the Phase Two donation will be determined as the year closes. Phase Three will occur throughout 2022 and include increased dialogue with nonprofits and key regional stakeholders involved in the region’s food insecurity fight.
“The Freeport Community Foundation Board of Directors is excited to be working directly with Northern Illinois Food Bank and River Bend Food Bank on proactively addressing the increasing food insecurity issue in Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll counties,” said Freeport Community Foundation Board President Bradley Stewart.
Freeport Community Foundation has a 46-year history as a community-based charitable organization guided by community leaders who are dedicated to providing financial solutions for current and future community needs. During that time, the FCF has awarded over $3.5 million in grant funding to non-profit organizations and projects throughout northwest Illinois. For additional information or to schedule a media opportunity, please contact the FCF at either (815) 801-3035 or via email at [email protected].
Media Contact:
FCF: Michelle DeHaven, Executive Director – [email protected]