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The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation & Regional Affiliates (PACF) announced its grant awards for spring 2018.  The Foundation awarded a total of $209,056 region-wide through its Community Action Grants Program to organizations within the Foundation’s eleven-county service region of Wood, Wirt, Ritchie, Doddridge, Mason, Calhoun, Gilmer, Roane, Pleasants, and Jackson counties in West Virginia, and Washington County, Ohio.  Of this total, the Foundation’s Ritchie County Community Foundation affiliate awarded $2,890; the remainder of grants came from PACF funds.

Grant recipients gathered at the Foundation’s office on Monday, May 21, to celebrate their grant awards. Among the grants awarded in this cycle, several support programs designed to address food insecurity and to provide healthy food choices for area residents. The West Virginia University Extension Service - Family Nutrition Program, will use a $10,000 grant to provide “pop-up” farmers markets for school children in Wood County in an effort to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables by children and families with limited income. A $5,000 grant will enable the Doddridge County Farmers Market to offer the “Double Up Bucks” program to SNAP beneficiaries, enabling individuals who benefit from SNAP to double the amount of produce that they can purchase at the market. In Calhoun County, the new “Nourishing Networks” coalition, led by the Calhoun County Family Resource Network, will improve access to healthy, whole foods for youth, resource-limited families, and seniors. Lubeck United Methodist Church is receiving a $6,650 grant to expand its Lunch SAK program, which provides food to children in need for weekends, school holidays, and in the summer, to students at Blennerhassett Elementary School and Lubeck Elementary School.

“At our annual meeting this past January, several speakers highlighted the problem of food insecurity in our state,” said Senior Program Officer Marian Clowes. “Hunger is a real issue, as is access to healthy foods. We are excited that these grant-funded programs will help bring healthy food to children, families, and seniors on our region.”

Other grants in this cycle supported area parks and recreational facilities, programs addressing substance abuse and access to oral health care, equipment needs of volunteer fire departments, and a variety of projects in education, arts, and human and youth services.

Grants awarded through the PACF’s Community Action Grants Program are made possible by generous individuals and businesses who have established a charitable fund with the PACF. The Program uses the resources available through the Foundation’s general grantmaking and field of interest funds to meet the ever-changing needs of its service region. The Foundation works with volunteers region-wide to review the grant applications and select the recipients.  Additionally, the Foundation consults with individuals who have established Donor Advised Funds through the PACF and works with these individuals to provide additional grant support for the projects proposed through the Community Action Grants Program. To learn more about the Program, individuals should call the Foundation at 304.428.4438 or email info@pacfwv.com.

 Parkersburg Area Community Foundation Grants

 ·         Adolescent Health Initiative, Region 5 - $7,000 to support the “Developing Star Leaders” program, which engages students from the Mid-Ohio Valley in developing individual and team leadership skills.

·         Calhoun County Family Resource Network - $7,120 to support the Calhoun County Nourishing Network’s efforts to improve access to healthy, whole foods for youth, resource-limited families, and seniors.

·         City of Parkersburg - $10,000 to purchase and install an aquaflex surface for the new splash park at the City Park pool.

·         Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Mid-Ohio Valley - $5,000 to support a series of financial education programs across the Mid-Ohio Valley.

·         Doddridge County Elementary School - $600 to plant trees and to teach students about the life cycles of plants.

·         Doddridge County Farmers Market - $5,000 to enable the market to participate in the SNAP “Double Up Bucks” program and to promote the market to the public.

·         Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department - $7,250 to purchase new turnout gear for firefighters.

·         Ely Chapman Education Foundation - $5,183 to repair and replace downspout at the facility.

·         Faithlink/Community Resources - $2,150 to support the purchase of a vehicle for the new Senior Ride Link program.

·         Family Crisis Intervention Center - $10,000 to support operating expenses for the Kids First Program.

·         Fourth Circuit Public Defender Corporation - $4,000 to support the cost of transportation for clients admitted to substance abuse treatment facilities.

·         Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department - $1,210 to purchase new firefighting nozzles and a fire hose.

·         Horizons Center for Independent Living - $5,000 to build an ADA compliant ramp to the facility.

·         Little Hocking Fire and Rescue, Inc. - $6,396 to purchase scuba diving masks for the rescue diving team.

·         Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation - $2,000 to purchase security cameras to be placed in Wirt County to combat an increase in crime.

·         Lubeck Elementary School - $4,845 to purchase playground equipment for Pre-K students.

·         Lubeck United Methodist Church Lunch SAK Program - $6,650 to help supply, on weekends, school holidays, and summer break, food for children from Lubeck Elementary School, to expand service to Blennerhassett Elementary School, and to assist Blennerhassett Middle School with their food and hygiene pantry.

·         Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council - $2,300 to repair and/or replace sewing machines used by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program to sew items that they donate to agencies throughout their communities.

·         Minnie Hamilton Health System - $11,600 to assist with the purchase of medication carts.

·         NFS Ministries – Latrobe Street Mission - $7,500 to purchase new bed frames and mattresses for the women’s dorm.

·         Pennsboro Volunteer Fire Department - $7,000 to assist with the replacement of rescue tools.

·         Ritchie County Family Resource Network - $1,000 to create a Necessity Closet, to provide hygiene items for those in need.

·         Roane County Commission - $7,200 to purchase bunk beds with safety railings for the Roane County 4-H Camp.

·         Rotary Club of Parkersburg - $1,500 to support the Drug Free Clubs of America program at Parkersburg High School and Parkersburg South High School.

·         Schrader Youth Ballet - $4,000 to purchase a vinyl marley floor to be used at performances.

·         Smithville Elementary School - $610 to create hands-on science experiments for the Pre-K through 5^th grade classes.

·         Town of Reedy - $7,500 to purchase and install a coin-operated bulk water machine to serve citizens who must haul water for use in their homes in Roane, Wirt, and Jackson counties.

·         United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley - $2,500 to install a security system.

·         Voices for Children – CASA Program - $9,000 to provide operating support.

·         Voices of the Street/Essentially Yours - $1,000 to provide operating support.

·         Washington Bottom Community Building Association - $4,500 to provide new flooring and upgraded lighting in the community building.

·         West Virginia Health Right - $2,500 to purchase dental supplies for the mobile dental clinic serving Roane County.

·         West Virginia University Extension Service – Family Nutrition Program - $10,000 to provide pop-up farmers markets at schools in Wood County to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables by children from families with limited income.

·         West Virginia University School of Public Health - $1,500 to provide students with practical learning experiences by undertaking community health projects in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

·         West Virginia University Foundation/Energy Express - $3,552 to provide take home books to children enrolled in Energy Express in Calhoun, Gilmer, Roane, and Wirt counties.

·         West Virginia Symphony Orchestra – Parkersburg - $5,000 to support operations and programming.

·         Wood County 4-H Leaders Association - $12,000 to purchase a new stove and kitchen equipment for the Wood County 4-H Camp.

·         Wood County Parks and Recreation Commission/Mountwood Park - $15,000 to replace the roofs on cabins at the park.

Ritchie County Community Foundation Grants

·         Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department - $1,650 to purchase new firefighting nozzles and a fire hose.

·         Smithville Elementary School - $1,240 to create hands-on science experiments for the Pre-K through 5^th grade classes.

The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation & Regional Affiliates (PACF) announced that $324,175 was raised through Give Local MOV, the May 1^st fundraising event hosted by the PACF. 

Nonprofit partners in Give Local MOV 2018 included 47 groups with missions supporting animals; arts and culture; community improvement; education; environment; health; human services; and youth development.  Organizations invited to participate were those with a charitable fund associated with PACF’s family of funds.

Nonprofits raising the most funds included:  FaithLink, Parkersburg High School Foundation, Parkersburg Art Center, YMCA of Parkersburg, and the United Way Alliance of the MOV. 

A key benefit of giving to the participating nonprofits on May 1^st was the availability of 1:1 matching funds and incentive prizes.  Several regional sponsors, led by Superior Toyota, supplied matching funds that made the day even more exciting.  In addition, several individuals/businesses offered private challenges to specific organizations and $7,000 in hourly prize incentives encouraged giving.  

The PACF takes no fee to organize and host the Give Local MOV campaign.  The PACF supplies the secure online giving platform and also covers credit card processing fees, allowing 100% of each donor’s gift to go to its intended agency.  This year, some donors that gave on May 1^st opted to help cover the credit card processing and transaction fees with their donation and the Foundation is very grateful for their support.   

“Our event sponsors and the local donors who contribute are the critical factors in the success of Give Local MOV,” said Julie Posey, PACF’s Development and Communications Officer.  “Our local businesses once again stepped up and enabled us to make an incredible impact region-wide. And, local businesses are only able to support positive initiatives, such as Give Local MOV, if they themselves have support from local residents.  By supporting local businesses and shopping local, you can help provide for the greater good of our community. We urge everyone to give local and to shop local!” 

“Since the founding of Give Local MOV in 2014, more than $1.26 million has been raised for the region’s charitable groups,” said Posey.  “It’s amazing how much can be achieved when we work together.  The Foundation’s Board and Staff are proud to be part of such a giving community.”

The Foundation plans to host Give Local MOV again.  Businesses, nonprofits or individuals interested in having a significant impact for their investment and want to get involved in Give Local MOV 2019 should contact Posey at 304-428-4438 to learn more.