Response Fund awards grants

Distribution is third in effort to support local nonprofits

The Lorain County COVID-19 Response Fund Community Advisory Committee announced May 13 the third round of grants to support Lorain County nonprofits.

In total, more than $140,000 has been awarded to 16 organizations, according to a news release from the Response Fund.

During the third round, $40,000 was awarded to five organizations to help provide support during the novel coronavirus pandemic within the priorities of emergency assistance and basic needs, education and youth services, and infrastructure, the release said.

Since its inception, contributions to the Lorain County COVID-19 Response Fund now total more than $220,000 from corporations, civic and philanthropic partners, including donations from individuals and families across the county.

Mike Bass Ford-Mazda and GenOn received a special thanks from the Response Fund for their generous contributions to help Lorain County nonprofits, according to the release.

Grants awarded from the third round include:

Emergency Assistance and Basic Needs

• Legal Aid Society, $6,000, to provide legal assistance related to basic needs for underemployed and part-time workers; families with children; the reentry community; the uninsured; people of color; people with disabilities, the homeless; older adults; those with limited English proficiency; and low-income and other vulnerable populations.

• Lorain County Office on Aging, $6,000, to provide home-delivered meals from local caterers to seniors in Grafton, LaGrange, Carlisle, Columbia and Eaton.

• Neighborhood Alliance, $10,000, to provide meals to shelter residents and seniors sheltering in place during the COVID-19 crisis.

Education and Youth Services

• TECH CORPS, $10,000, to provide new laptops loaned to Lorain County students to ensure they have the tools and access they need to participate in summer programs.

Infrastructure

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County, $6,000, to provide a virtual mentoring program to support families and coach the entire mentoring network on how to stay engaged and connected during these times.