Old Saybook Cares offering grants

OLD SAYBROOK— The town of Old Saybrook, with the help of a $30,000 donation, is putting out a call for Old Saybrook Cares grant applications.

The gift, given by Mike Chapin, CEO of From You Flowers, has allowed the program to exceeded its initial goal to raise $100,000 to address ongoing needs of as many residents impacted by COVID-19, according to a press release.

To date, the committee has raised $106,277, and provided $96,202 in grants to 72 Old Saybrook residents, it said.

This is the second donation from Chapin, according to the organization. He donated $30,000, which was supplemented by a matching grant in 2020.

The second matching grant of $30,000 allows the committee to continue to provide grants up to $1,500 to be used for food, housing, utilities, child care or transportation costs related to job layoffs and/or unemployment due to COVID-19, the news release said.

To qualify, applicants must be residents. Funds are to be used for basic needs, according to the program. People may request up to $1,500, and only one grant will be awarded per household.

Those who previously received a grant may be eligible to apply again, the release said. Any such application will be reviewed after new grant applications are considered. All applications are reviewed by the grant committee with input on eligibility by Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services.

For information, visit the Middlesex United Way website at middlesexunitedway.org.