GREENFIELD – Several local nonprofit organizations recently received small grants to help with their missions to serve the Hancock County community.
The Hancock County Community Foundation issued Mini Grants to Healthy365, The Landing, Fortville Area Resource Mission (FARM), Vineyard Community Church at Mt. Comfort, Hope Center Indy, Bentleys Buddies and Friends, and Friends of the Theater.
The grants, for up to $1,000, were issued from a pool of funds that is set aside each year to meet nonprofit organizations’ needs that arise outside of the major grant cycles.
Here’s a look at each grant, and the organization that it’s benefiting:
-Healthy365 received a $400 grant to cover the costs of a lunch-and-learn event for area nonprofits. The topic for the event was how to recognize and cope with stress and burnout, presented by Mezzo Solutions. The purpose of Healthy365 is to form strong community relationships and bring local partners together for a community-centric approach to overall well-being for residents and families.
-The Landing received a $1,000 grant for one of its volunteers to become a certified recovery coach and take a course in grant writing. The Landing is a faith-based nonprofit providing a safe place for teens of the community to learn real-life strategies and principles to break the cycles of dysfunction and destructive behaviors.
– FARM received a $1,000 grant to help provide a laptop and tablet computer to help expedite food distribution. As the FARM has grown quickly since its inception in January 2021, the need for maximizing the time and energy of its volunteers has also grown. Beginning as a food pantry and expanding to offer other resources, FARM works to improve the lives of those they serve. Its focus is not only helping people meet their basic physical needs such as food and household items, but also meeting social needs by providing a social time, guest speakers and caring volunteers.
– The food pantry at Vineyard Community Church at Mt. Comfort was awarded a $948 Mini Grant to purchase a large chest freezer. This will replace two smaller freezers that broke down and accommodate large amounts of frozen food. The mission of the pantry is to bring physical and spiritual nourishment to families and individuals in need of assistance. They have a regular distribution twice per month at the church and also distribute backpacks of non-perishable food to Mt. Comfort Elementary School and Mt. Vernon Middle School students in need of food over the weekends.
– Another food pantry to receive a Mini Grant is the David Nolen Pantry of Hope at Hope Center Indy. The organization will use the grant funding to purchase food to distribute about 200 Thanksgiving meals. The pantry was begun in 2019 to serve local families and individuals facing food insecurity through consistent food distribution. The pantry serves more than 1,750 people monthly; roughly 800 come from Hancock County.
– Bentley’s Buddies and Friends received a grant to help purchase materials for a ramp at its new location, 707 N. State St, Greenfield. The mission of Bentley’s Buddies and Friends is to help students improve their reading by taking certified reading buddy dogs into schools for students to read to them. A reading buddy creates a fun and relaxing learning environment for the students.
-Friends of the Theater Hancock County received a Mini Grant for $500 to support a local artist showcase at the Christmas at the Ricks event. This event will be Dec. 17 and will feature local musicians as well as national artists Josh Kaufman and Cliff Ritchey. Proceeds from this event will help the organization purchase new flooring and seating for the theater.
HCCF provides philanthropic leadership by encouraging giving, learning, community pride and civic engagement. Working with caring individuals, families, and organizations to create or grow existing permanent endowment funds is critical to the organization’s mission. These funds generate income that is distributed in the form of grants and scholarships to enrich and enhance life in Hancock County, as well as support the donor’s favorite charitable causes, both at home and afar forever. HCCF has granted millions of dollars since its inception in 1992.
For more, visit giveHCgrowHC.org.
