To better serve our area during this pandemic, the Allegany County Area Foundation and Allegany County United Way recently created Community Relief Funds (CRF) and a shared grant application and review process to streamline support for local organizations that are assisting county residents. With the grants described below, over $20,000 has been provided to Allegany County non-profits.
The most recent awards will benefit the Alfred State College Food Pantry and the Cooperative Extension
The ASC Food Pantry was initially established to help students that were unable to return home at the time SUNY colleges shut down this spring. The campus community subsequently realized a more general need for this service, as support, as food security is an issue in the student body beyond the current Pandemic situation. This donation will support the pantry through the summer and into fall semester.
The grant to Cooperative Extension will boost the innovative Project Clover Aid - Food Boxes for Farmers program. This effort provides food delivered directly to Allegany County farm families during this especially busy time. Retired farmers will also benefit. The personal contact involved in the program will serve an important secondary benefit in understanding the needs of the farm community.
The shared grant committee includes the directors and two board members from ACUW and ACAF. Once a grant is approved the organization directors determine the funding specifics. Each organization brought existing resources to this effort; these funds have been buoyed by generous community donations.
Grant inquiries and applications are still being accepted. The ACAF website has more information and a link to the grant application. Bruce Campbell (director@acafny.org or 585-296-5616) and Mandi Phelps (mandi.phelps@acuw.com
