Foundation Brings Peace to Local Hardships
Photo Credit: Michael Hallahan via Unsplash.com
Washington County, OH – Job loss, the death of a loved one, and other emergencies are situations that happen frequently, but often still take us by surprise when they occur. While we try to bear the weight of these unfortunate circumstances, for some, financial pressures make the burden too heavy to carry alone.
Marietta Community Foundation has announced a new program that will offer local families assistance when they find themselves in these types of situations. The Washington County Hardship & Disaster Relief Program will give local families a helping hand in the midst of disaster.
“Life is full of unexpected moments and sometimes those moments can bring anxieties beyond what we are able to handle,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of the Foundation. “That’s why we want to alleviate financial pressure for local families, in hardship, so they can focus on finding a solution to whatever issue they’re facing.”
The Washington County Hardship & Disaster Relief Program is a combination of funds used to provide short-term assistance to Washington County community members experiencing financial hardship due to unexpected and unavoidable emergencies or natural disasters. Funds are also available to help support local children by covering fess related to extracurricular activities or purchasing clothes and/or equipment.
Recently, the program received a generous contribution from the McCauley Mills Organization, a private foundation in California. A gift of $20,000 was given to the program, in honor of Frank and Rose McCauley, long-time residents of the area.
“This donation, along with the rest of our existing funds, is going to make a big difference in the lives of so many people,” said Allender. “When people find themselves in need of vital resources like food, shelter, and clothing they can turn to us.”
The Foundation lists nine categories of eligibility to apply for the program: Catastrophe/Natural Disaster, Funeral or emergency Travel for Immediate Family, Medical Emergencies, Medical Non-Emergency, Mental Health/Substance Prevention, Home Modification, Personal Emergency, Basic Need Items, and Extracurricular Activities.
Applications can be found here and must be accompanied by proper documentation. The required documentation can be emailed to Britani Merritt, Operations & Donor Services Director for the Foundation, at britani@mcfohio.org.
Before applying, individuals must utilize all other available options, including other community resources, to help cover expenses. A full list of local community resources can be found on the Foundation’s website.
Marietta Community Foundation works to improve the lives of Washington County’s citizens, if you are inspired to help support local families in need, please contact Heather Allender at 740-373-3286 or heather@mcfohio.org.
