FIGHTING HUNGER
Civic Foundation, city charities raise $19K to help those with food insecurities
Working with the new Royal Oak Civic Foundation, three city charities raised $19,500 to fight hunger in the community.
The online fundraising campaign was the first for the new foundation, which was established by the City Commission a few months ago.
“This first campaign was a big success and we had a lot of people contribute,” said Mayor Michael Fournier. “Right out of the gate we were able to help a number of people in the community who are in need.”
Three local-based charities — Blessings in a Backpack, the Salvation Army and the Open Hands Food Pantry — were able to reach donors through the civic foundation’s website at romi.gov/rocf.
The ROCF gave each of the three charities $2,500 in matching grants for a total of $7,500.
Economic hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted a large swath of people throughout the state and nation.
“The pandemic has raised demand at the Open Hands pantry by 50 percent since last year,” said Beth Taylor of St. John’s Episcopal Church, which hosts the food pantry, in a news release Tuesday. “This campaign immediately put food into the homes of people who are out of work and living with daily hunger. Hunger is real in our community. We are all in this together.”
Money for the Royal Oak Civic Foundation’s matching grants came from Robertson Homes, which bought 10 acres of land from the Normandy Oaks golf course and built homes there, donated $16,000 to the civic foundation’s general fund. The donation equals $200 for each house the homebuilding company sold.
Julie Lyons Bricker, ROCF executive director, said the Royal Oak-based charities in the fundraiser got donations from businesses, houses of worship and individuals.
“That included a resident 9-year-old, who hosted an online yoga class fundraiser that brought in more than $750,” Lyons Bricker said in a statement. “It reinforces our philosophy that everyone can be a philanthropist.”
Fundraising started Feb. 5 and stopped at the end of March, a few weeks later than planned because donations continued to come in.
The foundation was set up to receive grants from organizations that only donate to 501(c) 3 nonprofit groups. A board of volunteer trustees is still planning efforts for fundraising and giving.
Despite being in start-up mode, trustees decided to go ahead with the first fundraiser because they saw hunger as an immediate need in the community.
“I’m incredibly proud so many people stepped up to fight hunger in the community,” Fournier said. “If this doesn’t warm your heart you’re not human.”