Marshall Community Foundation Awards $64,400 in Emergency Response Grants Since May

MARSHALL, Mich.—The Marshall Community Foundation has awarded numerous grants totaling $64,400 since launching its COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund in April.

The Marshall United Methodist Church was awarded a $3,500 grant to launch a fresh food distribution program for the Marshall-area. The program will provide 150 to 200 local families access to fresh fruit and vegetables, plus bread, milk and meat on a monthly basis. Through this grant, the Foundation supported seven months of food distributions.

The Presbyterian Center for Children was awarded $5,000 to purchase supplies needed for the organization to safely reopening and serve the Community.

The Haven of Rest Ministries, Calhoun County’s emergency homeless shelter, was awarded a $5,900 grant to renovate a wing of the organization’s Emily Andrus house to serve as a quarantine facility for individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 and have no other place to take shelter.

The Fountain Clinic received a $10,000 grant in support of the organization’s clinic care staff, including nurses, the nurse practitioner and dental hygienist.

The Franke Center for the Arts, whose mission was brought to a standstill at the onslaught of the pandemic, was awarded $10,000 to assist the organization in sustaining their on-going operations until they are able to begin holding live performances.

The Haven of Rest Ministries was awarded a $10,000 grant to help offset costs of emergency-related payrolls impacted by the pandemic, allowing the organization to maintain its programming. Specifically, this grant will assist The Haven in sustaining its Kitchen Ministry, men and women’s homeless shelter, and its life recovery, veteran’s and adult foster care programs.

Kinderhaus Montessori was awarded a $10,000 grant to help ensure a safe and sanitized environment for staff and students.

Senior Care Partners PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) is an organization with a mission of providing comprehensive care for the elderly, in order to allow them to remain safely in their homes for as long as possible. The organization was awarded $10,000 to purchase technology allowing them to better serve Marshall-area participants through remote video conferencing.

“The outpouring of Community support for the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund has been overwhelming,” said Shannon Tiernan, Marshall Community Foundation executive director. “Our Foundation was established by individuals who care so much about Marshall and our surrounding communities that they generously contributed their time and financial resources to ensure we can sustain what we love most about our hometown.

“This spirit persists today,” added Tiernan. “The Emergency Response Fund is just one example of our neighbors banding together for the benefit of all.”

The Marshall Community Foundation Board of Trustees recently voted to extend its Emergency Response through the end of the calendar year, serving the needs of local charitable organizations impacted by the pandemic.

“In this time of disruption and change, the Foundation’s Board felt strongly that we can support our local non-profits the best way we know how… through our grant-making,” said Jennifer Caplis, Board chair. “As our local needs continue to evolve in response to the pandemic, the Foundation will also be responsive to the changing needs of our non-profits. The Foundation has been doing this work in our Community for more than 50 years. It is a privilege we do not take lightly.”

Local non-profit organizations serving the needs of Marshall and surrounding communities are encouraged to visit www.marshallcf.org for additional information regarding the Emergency Response grant program.

Individuals looking to support the Emergency Response Fund can contact the Foundation at (269) 781-2273 or via email at [email protected].

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The Marshall Community Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to improving quality of life in Marshall, and throughout Calhoun County. The Foundation holds permanently endowed funds from a range of donors, and serves as a conduit for special projects and the distribution of grants in support of innovative programs. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.marshallcf.org.