AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine — Several nonprofit organizations in Aroostook County have received part of a $1.2 million grant package from the Maine Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and a fund for food security.
Funds went to 130 nonprofit organizations throughout Maine that serve people most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, including community and statewide organizations providing basic support such as food, shelter, child care, mental health and domestic violence services.
Receiving food grants, designated for food pantries and meal pick-up and delivery services, were: Adopt-a-Block of Aroostook in Houlton, $6,000; Aroostook Agency on Aging, Presque Isle, $5,000; Aroostook Band of Micmacs, Presque Isle, $6,000; Aroostook Band of Maliseets, Littleton, $8,000; Caribou Ecumenical Food Pantry, $6,000; and the Greater Ecumenical Fort Kent Food Pantry, $6,000.
Aroostook County Action Program of Presque Isle received a $15,000 general social services grant, designated for those agencies providing a range of services including food, shelter, child care, mental health, rental assistance and transportation.
A $5,000 health and safety grant went to the Hope and Justice Project in Presque Isle, while Homeless Services of Aroostook, also in Presque Isle, received an $8,600 housing grant.
According to the Maine Community Foundation, recipients are determined proactively based on needs around the state; there is no application process.
“Maine’s demographics and economic makeup place many residents in extremely vulnerable positions during this pandemic,” said Steve Rowe, MaineCF president and CEO. “The generosity of our donors has allowed the Maine Community Foundation to expeditiously support community-based organizations on the front lines of the crisis. Our latest round of grants provides resources to food pantries and homeless shelters as well as other social service organizations across the state.”
The COVID-19 fund began with a $500,000 transfer from an unrestricted MaineCF fIn addition to the $1.2 million issued from the funds for COVID-19 relief and food insecurity, donor giving through MaineCF has increased threefold compared to this period last year: Donors with advised funds at the community foundation have stepped up by making more than $6 million grants since mid-March.
MCF is headquartered in Ellsworth with personnel in Mars Hill, Dover-Foxcroft and Portland.
