DONNELLY, ID – Communities across Idaho are feeling the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. To help respond to Idahoans’ immediate needs, the Stibnite Foundation is distributing emergency funds to non-profits in the region it serves.
“Many families in our communities are facing extreme changes brought on by COVID-19,” said Bob Crump, president and spokesperson for the Stibnite Foundation. “Some individuals have lost their jobs and are struggling to figure out how they are going to keep food on their tables. Parents are suddenly being forced to be homeschool teachers. And families are worried about protecting their health and well-being. The Stibnite Foundation wanted to step in to help ease some of these challenges.”
Each Stibnite Foundation board member worked with their respective community to determine their greatest needs and the non-profit organization(s) that could help address those challenges with $2,000. The Stibnite Foundation also decided to provide support to McCall residents. All grant recipients were approved by the full board on April 17.
Cascade directed $1,000 of its funds to the Rose Advocates, a non-profit offering important resources to adults and children who are in abusive situations. Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, law enforcement agencies from across the United States have seen an increase in domestic violence cases. The other $1,000 was donated to the Cascade Food Pantry to buy more food for local families.
Council split the emergency funding from the Stibnite Foundation between the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry and the Council Senior Center. The Council Senior Center is currently supplying low cost meals for all seniors in the community three days a week and open as a safe gathering place for seniors.
Donnelly donated all of their money to the Donnelly Bible Church Food Pantry. Each Thursday, the pantry distributes food boxes to families and individuals in need.
New Meadows is directing $1,000 of their funding to the community’s utility bill assistance program to help families and individuals who may be struggling to pay their bills. The remaining $1,000 will be donated to the New Meadows Food Bank.
The Stibnite Foundation wanted to provide support to the community of McCall. The board votes to give $500 to Rose Advocates, $500 to the McCall Community Center for its Meals on Wheels program and $1,000 to support Heartland Hunger & Resource Center Food Bank.
The emergency funding in Riggins will be given to the Salmon River School District Food Service Department, so the schools can continue to provide meals to children who rely on the schools for food.
Yellow Pine is using the funding to address food insecurity in the village and replenish the town’s food supplies. There is no grocery store in the village and, with residents sheltering in place, it has been difficult to bring food into the community.
The Stibnite Foundation will send checks to the organizations listed above the week of April 20. Each organization that receives funding will be required to write a short report sharing how funds were used to help community members.
The Stibnite Foundation is currently in the middle of its first grant application cycle. Non-profits in the region are encouraged to submit applications to the foundation by May 31. The Foundation will award approximately $50,000. For more information about the 2020 Stibnite Foundation grant cycle, please visit www.StibniteFoundation.com.
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