Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Catholic Charities, Inc has awarded Bishop deGoesbriand grants to 26 non-profit organizations that make meaningful differences in the daily lives of individual and families throughout Vermont. Funding for these grants was made possible by parishioners all over Vermont who generously donated to an Ash Wednesday parish collection.
“Vermont Catholic Charities appreciates the tremendous support from parishioners throughout Vermont. Through this generosity, countless numbers of individuals will receive critical emotional and financial support. What an amazing outward sign of Christ’s love to the larger Vermont community,” said Mary Beth Pinard, Executive Director of Catholic Charities.
This grant program began in 2011 and since then Vermont Catholic Charities has awarded over 200 grants totaling more than $400,000 to local nonprofits seeking to support those in need in their communities.
“On behalf of Martha’s Kitchen and the many guest we serve, thank you for your generous grant. When members of the community share their blessings, we all become blessed. Your generosity helps us provide a warm meal to our guests every day of the year,” said Bob Begley, Administrator.
“It is with deep felt gratitude that we write this letter of thanks to you on behalf of all who are served by Joshua House. We know that changes are coming for many of our poorest of the poor. The need here in the Northeast Kingdom is great,” said Casey Boyle-Eldridge, Board of Directors.
“Thank you for the generous contribution to Hope. The timing of this award is ideal; it has been a long and hart winter for many of Addison County’s most vulnerable people, especially those who are homeless. Your contribution will support our efforts to assist these people as they work to secure mot stable living situations,” said Heather Potter, Director of Development.
This year the following organizations received grants totaling $55,740:
Addison Co. Community Action (HOPE) ($3,000) Middlebury Funding will support the organization’s Essential Services Program which provides vital assistance to those unable to meet their own basic needs for food, shelter, heat, and medical care.
Aspire Together ($1,000) St. Albans & Burlington Funding will be used to support the “building Healthy Families Program” which helps clients learn valuable skills on how to be effective parents.
Camp Exclamation Point ($2,000) Richmond Funding will be used to provide backpacks and school supplies to the campers of Camp Exclamation Point which provides a camping experience to underserved, rural Vermont children.
Cathedral Parish ($3,000) Burlington – Parish Food Shelf Ministry Funding will be used to purchase non-perishable food items for families/individuals in need in the Burlington area.
Catholic Center at UVM ($1,500) Burlington Students at the University of Vermont will use funding to shop, cook and prepare dinners for the poor in Burlington and take the food to the Salvation Army to serve the meal.
Champlain Valley Birthright ($1,400) Burlington Funding will be used for advertising to increase community awareness of Birthright’s services and to making themselves known to any woman who is ambivalent about her pregnancy.
Committee on Temporary Shelter ($1,500) Burlington Funding is for support of the COTS Daystation program which serves as refuge from the streets for men and women experiencing homelessness and help people stabilize their lives in times of crisis.
Community Emergency Relief Volunteers ($3,700) Northfield Falls Funding will be used to support the summer lunch program, increase the volume of food needed to accommodate a larger number of clients, and support families with emergency funds as needed.
Dismas of Vermont ($2,640) Winooski/Rutland/Burlington Funding will be used to support camping trips that reconnect former prisoners with their children.
Faith in Action Northern Communities ($3,500) Cabot Funding will support this agency’s work of trying to meet the needs of people who “fall through the cracks” by helping with transportation to medical appointments, providing respite care, assisting with food, and helping with yard work and constructions projects.
Good Beginnings of Central Vermont ($3,000) Montpelier Funding will support the Post-Partum Angel Family Support Program and in the Loving Arms Program that provide postpartum support and resources to the most vulnerable families in Central Vermont, with particular focus on families that are geographically isolated or that are affected by drug addiction.
Grateful Hearts ($1,000) East Dorset Funding will help provide healthy prepared meals to families in need by utilizing surplus food resources made available by local farms.
Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity ($1,500) Williston Funding will help build affordable and energy efficient homes for low-income working families.
John Graham Shelter ($3,000) Vergennes Funding is to support case management services to homeless families and children so they can attain permanent housing and employment.
Joseph’s House ($1,500) Burlington Funding will be used to for their food assistance program that supports families and individuals in need in the Burlington area.
Joshua House, Inc. ($4,000) Irasburg Funding will be used to support clients in the Northeast Kingdom who need financial assistance including help with affordable housing.
Martha’s Kitchen ($3,500) St. Albans Funding will help sustain expanded hours of operation to include weekends and Senior Meals program.
Meals & Wheels of Greater Springfield ($2,000) Springfield Funding will assist in making needed repairs to the dining room where community meals are served.
Neighborhood Connections ($2,000) Londonderry Funding will support the agency’s Volunteer Visitation Program so volunteers can visit families and senior in their homes.
Our Place Drop-in Center ($2,500) Bellows Falls Funding will support the meal program and food pantry for the daytime drop-in center which offers shelter, community meals and a food pantry.
Spectrum Youth & Family Services ($2,500) Burlington Funding will support the agency’s Basic Needs & A Stable Home Programs which provide an essential safety net for youth who are living on the streets, in cars, couch surfing, camping or otherwise unable to sustain stable, permanent housing.
St. Ambrose and St. Peter Parishes ($2,000) Bristol/Vergennes Funding will support free monthly community meals at the parishes to those who are struggling with finances.
St. Brigid’s Kitchen ($1,000) Brattleboro Funding will be used to continue to offer meals to those in need in the Brattleboro community.
St. Brigid’s Pantry ($1,000) Brattleboro Funding will support the Take-A-Bag Program and the holiday food program which serves the less fortunate in the parish and in the Brattleboro area.
Vergennes Rotary Club ($1,500) Vergennes Funding will help provide afternoon snacks and evening meals to children of the Boys and Girls Club of the greater Vergennes area.