Marietta, OH – As the state begins to take steps to reopen, local businesses and organizations will encounter obstacles as they tread this uncharted territory. But, thanks to help from Marietta Community Foundation, a local nonprofit is finding its way to solid ground.

Due to COVID-19 regulations, the Ely Chapman Educational Foundation shut down its services in March of this year. As they began to shut down operations, the board and staff at Ely Chapman had to decide what to do with the remaining food that would perish throughout the stay-at-home order.

Although it was a necessary step, Ely Chapman’s food stores had to be donated, which depleted the food items they would normally serve to children.

“We were able to send the food that would expire while we were closed to Eve and the Gospel Mission,” said Alice Chapman, Executive Director at Ely Chapman. “We did not want to see it go to waste, even if it meant emptying our shelves.”

In an attempt to anticipate growing needs in the area during COVID-19, Marietta Community Foundation has kept an open line of communication with many local nonprofits, including Ely Chapman. After discussing the needs Ely Chapman was facing, Marietta Community Foundation approved a $2,000 grant for the organization to restock their kitchen with the necessary food items.

“We are committed to our community in Washington County,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO. “Since COVID-19 began, we have taken every measure possible to use our resources to elevate the work being done by our local nonprofits.”

The grant came just in time for Ely Chapman’s “Sensational Summer Camp,” which began on June 1st. Now, thanks to Marietta Community Foundation, children participating in the camp are receiving a well-balanced meal twice a day, along with a morning and afternoon snack.

The grant came from Marietta Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund. In the short time that the fund has been established, more than $125,000 has been given to local organizations throughout Washington County.

Marietta Community Foundation works to improve Washington County through grants and initiatives, if you are inspired to support nonprofits in Washington County, please contact Heather Allender at 740-373-3286 or heather@mcfohio.org.