$136,000 awarded to Columbus groups helping with food, rent assistance, more in COVID-19

The Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley today announced its first round of grant awards to local groups working to serve those disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Grants totaling $136,100 will be awarded today to the following 11 organizations:

• Boys and Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley: Grant money will fund daily afternoon snacks and meals to students.
• Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry: Grant money will fund financial assistance to individuals (rent, utilities, transportation).
• Feeding the Valley Food Bank: Grant money will fund mobile food boxes for families and funded Buddy Packs to Muscogee County School District students over spring break.
• Home for Good at United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley: Grant money will fund emergency shelter operations in partnership with SafeHouse.
• Open Door Community House: Grant money will fund food for people and families who are food insecure.
• SafeHouse Ministries: Grant money will fund food for client meals and establishment of quarantine space for client safety.
• Salvation Army: Grant money will fund food boxes and evening meals as well as financial assistance for individuals.
• St. Anne Community Outreach: Grant money will fund utility assistance relief for individuals and food for “drive-up” grocery service.
• Take the City: Grant money will fund food boxes for individuals.
• Truth Spring: Grant money will fund family food boxes for a week’s worth of food.
• West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition: Grant money will fund utilities, housing and transportation assistance for cancer patients.

The money comes from the Coronavirus Response Fund, which is a partnership between the Community Foundation, United Way and area donors.

“I’m so grateful for the way that organizations told us their stories and how our Community Foundation and United Way staffs worked together to vet each of these proposals,” said Betsy Covington, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Donors to the Coronavirus Response Fund can know that their dollars are being used carefully and generously to provide food, financial help and hope to our neighbors most in need.”

Right now, Global Payments has offered a $100,000 match, which will match donations to the fund dollar for dollar up to $2,000 per gift.

Donations can be made at cfcv.com/coronavirus.

Organizations are also asked to share their needs to be considered for future funding by registering on the Community Foundation website.

Citizens in need of assistance can find information about how to access these and other local resources using United Way’s 211 call line.