ORLANDO, Fla. (Wednesday, June 30) – The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a fund of the McCormick Foundation, recently distributed $613,000 in grants to 23 nonprofit organizations in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and West Volusia counties. So far this year the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund has distributed nearly $1 million in grants to 36 local organizations.
The funds distributed are grants tied to two annual campaigns conducted by the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund: the Back to School Campaign and the Holiday Campaign.
Six agencies received funding to distribute backpacks and school supplies to elementary school children as part of the Back to School Campaign: A Gift for Teaching ($20,000), Catholic Charities ($15,000), Community Service Center of Central Florida, Inc. ($20,000), Educational Foundation of Lake County ($20,000), The Foundation for Osceola Education ($25,000) and The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools ($20,000).
As part of the Holiday Campaign, five agencies received funding to provide toys and clothing to children and teens in the 2010 holiday season: The House Next Door ($15,000), The Salvation Army of Lake County ($30,000), Osceola County Council on Aging ($25,000), The Salvation Army of Seminole County ($35,000) and The Salvation Army of Orange County ($75,000).
Other agencies that received grants from the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund and a description of the programs funded are listed below.
Adult Literacy League, Inc. received $30,000 to provide one-on-one and small group tutoring programs offering instruction in reading, writing, math or citizenship.
Catholic Charities of Central Florida, Inc. is a social service agency that provides counseling and emergency assistance to families. It received $30,000 to help low-income families pay their rent and utility bills and to distribute food.
The Center for Drug-Free Living, Inc. received $18,000 for the Alpha Summer Enrichment program, offering tutoring and homework assistance as well as life skills classes for at-risk students in Orange County elementary schools.
Christian HELP Foundation, Inc. received $10,000 for its Food Distribution Center program which provides food to unemployed families.
Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc. received $45,000 for the Children’s Services program, providing shelter, meals, early childhood education, daycare, therapy, tutoring and mentoring to homeless children.
Community Service Center of Central Florida, Inc. received $10,000 for their Emergency Assistance program which offers direct financial assistance, clothing and meals to low-income students and families.
Council on Aging of Volusia County, Inc. received $35,000 for the Elder Services program, which offers meal service to homebound seniors, adult daycare, transportation and energy assistance to the elderly.
Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home received $20,000 for the Family Treatment Homes and the Intervention and Assessment Center, which provide psychological care, individualized treatment plans, and a family-style living environment for abused or homeless children.
Harbor House of Central Florida, Inc. received $45,000 for the Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter program which offers emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis hotline, safety planning and counseling for individuals impacted by domestic violence.
Hope Foundation for the Homeless, Inc. received $15,000 for the Kids of HOPE Summer Lunch program, which provides food baskets to families in crisis during the summer months.
Jewish Federation of Volusia & Flagler Counties received $15,000 for the basic needs for children, families and the elderly which provides food, utility and rent assistance, clothing, furniture and household goods to low income families and migrant workers.
Seniors First, Inc. received $20,000 for their Emergency Meals On Wheels program, providing home delivered meals and case management assistance to elderly adults as they return home from the hospital or nursing facility.
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida, Inc. received $20,000 for the School Readiness Literacy program, an early intervention education program which helps prepare preschool children for kindergarten.
Please call 407-420-5705 for more information about these grants or future grant deadlines.