We are so fortunate to live in such a caring community. Every day it seems we are issued a new set of challenges. Yet in the face of this coronavirus (COVID-19), our community rises to each new challenge as our safety net of friends and neighbors respond together. It is wonderful to see the community embody the mission of the Community Foundation of Lorain County, Connecting People Who Care with Causes That Matter – a mission we have now been living out for the last 40 years!
Our President and CEO, Cindy Andrews, with our CFO, Jim Stobe and students from Avon, Avon Lake and Amherst volunteering with a great group at
Second Harvest Foodbank.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and need for food during this health crisis, the Community Foundation ofLorain County through a generous donor i is providing $250,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank.
Second Harvest is preparing to address the substantially increased food supply need that will continue through the weeks and (likely) months ahead. This need is driven by many factors, including school closures, job disruptions, lack of paid sick leave, and the coronavirus’ disproportionate impact on seniors, school-age children, and families.
Click to watch a video that features our Board member Judith Recknagel owner of the Mermaid's Tale speak about supporting small businesses.
At a time when much feels out of our control, there’s plenty we can do to help our local businesses survive this. While we may not be able to give them our patronage in person right now, there is much we can do to show our support.
Visit your favorite restaurant’s website and purchase gift cards for yourself and others to keep some money flowing to their bottom lines. If those restaurants are still offering takeout or delivery, make a point to order from them now and again soon.
If your local shops sell their merchandise online, make purchases — even if the goods won’t be available right away.
Visit the websites of your favorite local businesses, and you’ll find that many are offering discounts or telling their customers how they can assist.
Our community partner BVU is working hard to identify and curate useful resources for our nonprofit partners. They will update BVU Resource Center daily with useful articles, webinars, and other information. Topics addressed include fundraising, disaster relief, management, human resources, professional development, and more.
Grant Story
The Charlie Cart Project
$27,500 awarded for two Charlie Carts and supplies
Lorain Public Library received a grant to expand these health and wellness programs. With the grant, the library purchased two Charlie Cart mobile prep kitchens with power, storage, and a sink for the Domonkas and South Lorain Branch Libraries. The Charlie Carts provide everything needed to offer cooking demonstrations, including utensil storage, an induction burner, a convection oven, curriculum materials for cooking classes, and a training session from The Charlie Cart Project staff.
Convection and induction cooking surfaces do not need to be vented and are safe for use in the library. The Charlie Cart curriculum includes 54 lesson plans aligned to the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, with cross-disciplinary connections between food, health, and the environment. The organization will also connect LPL with other program sites around the country to learn from their peers, who may be other libraries, schools, and food banks. The Lorain Public Library is partnering with the Lorain County Health Department to provide health resources and nutrition guidance for seniors, as many grandparents are accompanying their children to the Food and Fun, and Kitchen Life programs.
The Community Foundation of Lorain County is proud to announce the winners of its 2020 Lorain County Toni Morrison Essay Contest for Young People. Celebrating the inaugural year of Toni Morrison Day, community members wanted to offer the younger generation a connection to the late author.
The 2020 winners include:
Peyton Haney, Toni Morrison Elementary-Lorain
Sariah Frost, Toni Morrison Elementary-Lorain
Owen Jackson, Eastwood Elementary-Oberlin
Addesyn Nazario, General Johnnie Wilson Middle School-Lorain
Houston Jordan, General Johnnie Wilson Middle School-Lorain
Unfortunately, the Women's Fund is postponing this event to be in compliance with Governor DeWine's office. The Women's Fund sincerely appreciate your support and understanding as we face this health crisis. Our office will be mindful of communicating any further changes.
Lakeland Mini Grant Increase to $500
With the success of the Lakeland mini-grant, the Community Foundation of Lorain County will be increasing the award amount up to $500 starting in January 2020. “This increase will help provide more support through a simple, responsive grant process that reduces barriers to non-profits in Lorain County. We look forward to seeding future opportunities with local partners just like Lakeland Community Foundation and working together in support of this great community we call home,” said Cynthia H. Andrews, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Lorain County.
We work tirelessly with our donors, our partners, and friends to make Lorain County the best and strongest it can be. Endowment built by you, our community, makes all of this possible. The Community Foundation wisely invests the assets of its endowment and a percentage of those earnings provide sustainable support through grants and scholarships for our community.
Connecting People Who Care
With Causes That Matter
Do you know someone who would like a paper copy of our newsletter? If so, please email communicatins@peoplewhocare.org or call 440.984.7390
