Norfolk Foundation awards $1.1 million for people in need

NORFOLK

The Norfolk Foundation awarded more than $1.1 million in operating funds to 22 local nonprofit organizations that provide food, shelter, clothing or medical care.

The grants are part of a two-year relief program designed to help organizations struggling with increasing demands for basic needs while facing rising operating costs and shrinking donations because of the sagging economy.

Until now, the foundation's support to nonprofit agencies went mostly for capital projects.

The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia received the largest grant - $175,000, to be paid over two years.

Other grant recipients are ACCESS AIDS Care, the Beach Health Clinic, Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia, the Chesapeake Care free clinic, The Dwelling Place, the Eastern Shore Area Agency on Aging/Community Action Agency, the Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ForKids Inc., the Help and Emergency Response Shelter, the Judeo Christian Outreach Center, the Oasis Social Ministry of Portsmouth and Chesapeake, the Portsmouth Area Resources Coalition, The Salvation Army, Samaritan House, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia, Seton Youth Shelters, the Tidewater AIDS Community Taskforce, Union Mission Ministries, The Up Center and the YWCA of South Hampton Roads.

The Charters Basic Needs Relief Program is providing $1 million for the special relief program in a one-time offering.

Through their estate, the late William A. and Jane M. Charters of Norfolk donated $7 million to create a fund at The Norfolk Foundation to provide grants for nonprofit organizations that help people with basic needs.

That's been combined with $97,850 from the foundation's Sue Cook Winfrey Fund, which helps abused spouses and children, as well as with anonymous gifts of $33,532.

Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com