Community has supported Whitley County Cares Fund with $17,000 in gifts
(Photo provided) John Lefever of STAR Insurance, above at right, presents a $1,000 check to Laurie Steill of the Whitley County Community Foundation. The generous donation made on behalf of Cincinnati Insurance and STAR Insurance was directed to the Whitley County Cares Fund, where it was matched dollar for dollar by the Community Foundation. The Whitley County Cares Fund provides assistance to local families in need.
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Understanding that we are enduring a very harsh winter and an unstable economy, the board and staff of the Whitley County Community Foundation are working to provide assistance to local families who are most in need such as those who have lost jobs or had significant decreases in income.Last month, the organization announced that it would match gifts made to the Whitley County Cares Fund, dollar for dollar up to $50,000. Since that time, members of our community have generously given $17,000 toward helping local residents who are struggling, and those gifts have been matched by the Foundation.
This week, the first distributions were made to local non-profit organizations.
While the Community Foundation is unable to assist individuals directly, it can make funding available to local non-profits who exist to help people in distress. The first gift made from the Whitley County Cares Fund was a grant to Helpline of Whitley County.
A volunteer program, Helpline collects new or gently used household items and furnishings, and then donates the items to families in need. There are currently 55 families on their waiting list.
“Helpline has seen a significant increase in requests for help over the past few weeks. The organization is very responsible when responding to requests, and this is exactly the type of cause we wanted to assist when the match was established for Whitley County Cares,” said September McConnell, director of the community foundation.
Local food pantries in Whitley County will also benefit from the Whitley County Cares Fund, with an additional $9,000 earmarked for the various food banks in our community. John Slavich, program director for the Foundation contends that when it comes to responsible spending “those folks at the food banks know how to stretch a dollar!”
In addition, the Foundation will continue to work with Kriders Meats. The local business processed donated deer at cost, with the meat then distributed to the food pantries. The Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department recently donated $250, specifically earmarked to help offset the cost of processing the meat.
The Edwin and Flossie Heupel Good Samaritan Fund was created to assist Whitley County residents who are enduring a medical crisis and are in need financial assistance. Those eligible must be recommended to the Foundation by a church or social service organization. A volunteer committee is responsible for reviewing the request and recommending funding.
Over the past three months, there has been an increase in requests for assistance. “We have helped people with everything from replacing their eyeglasses to helping with doctor bills to providing gas money to Riley Hospital,” explained Slavich. Because of the increased demand, $5,000 from the Whitley County Cares Fund will be used to supplement these distributions.
An additional $13,000 from Whitley County Cares is being made available to organizations throughout the county that see need on a daily basis, but have had limited means of offering assistance.
“This is not an endowed fund,” explained McConnell. “From the onset, it has been our intent to get the money out and put it to work to help address local needs. The response to our challenge has been heartwarming. People genuinely want to help and make a difference.”
“We hope that others will be inclined to give,” McConnell continued. “The Foundation will continue to match the next $33,000 in contributions dollar for dollar. This means that a gift of $10 instantly becomes $20; $250 becomes $500.”
Gifts to the Whitley County Cares Fund are tax deductible and may be sent to the Community Foundation at 400 N. Whitley Street, Columbia City, IN 46725; simply note Whitley County Cares on the memo line.
The Foundation is unable to grant money to individuals. All requests for assistance should be made to local non profit organizations, who can then contact the Foundation. Organizations that can be assisted by the Whitley County Cares Fund include:
· Beds & Britches, Etc. (BABE) 244-2820 – Diapers, infant products offered through a coupon incentive program
· Big Lake Church of God Food Pantry
· Churubusco United Methodist Church Food Pantry
· Community Action of Northeast Indiana (CANI) Supplemental energy bill assistance for low income homes – 248-4887
· Etna United Methodist Church Food Pantry
· First Church of God, non-food pantry provides toiletries, cleaning supplies and diapers with voucher from welfare, or WIC
· Grace Lutheran Food Pantry
· Helpline of Whitley County – Household furnishings such as furniture, cookware, etc.
· Interfaith Mission – Transitional homeless shelter, 244-9603
· Jefferson Chapel United Methodist Church
· South Whitley Area Emergency Food Bank
· St. John Bosco Catholic Church Food Pantry
· St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry at St. Paul of the Cross Church
· Victory Christian Fellowship – Shared Blessings Food Pantry
· Whitley Co. Council on Aging, Non-perishable food pantry; public transportation
· Whitley Co. Ministerial Association – Overnight lodging for stranded travelers or recent jail release and referrals by city police dispatcher