Staff Report
The Exponent Telegram
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Dominion Resources will again mark the holiday season by providing more than $1 million in grants to help feed, shelter and care for people in need across the company’s footprint. Donations will be shared by 140 non-profit organizations that provide critical community services in 13 states.
This is the second year that Dominion has given more than $1 million in Critical Community Needs grants (www.dom.com/corporate/our-commitments/community/charitable-giving-and-the-dominion-foundation/critical-community-needs-grants) through its charitable arm, the Dominion Foundation.
The Mountaineer Food Bank’s Produce Just-In-Time project will receive a $25,000 grant. The program will focus on decreasing hunger in West Virginia, and increasing access to healthy and fresh foods. Produce deliveries to the food bank will be timed to coincide with regular food distribution to those in need.
— $12,500 grant to the Big Creek People-In-Action of War that will be used for critical housing rehabilitation needs in McDowell County. That area has the lowest standard of housing in West Virginia, and the funds will be used to make critical repairs for low income and elderly residents.
— $10,000 grant to the Covenant House of Charleston, in its efforts to reduce homelessness and improve food security. In 2015, Covenant House welcomed near 40,000 visitors to the Drop In Center in Charleston and provided AIDS outreach to 22 of West Virginia’s southernmost counties
— $15,000 grant to the Old Man Rivers Mission in Parkersburg that provides food for the homeless, disabled and impoverished, serving approximately 560 families a month. The grant will be used to install an emergency generator to keep the Mission operational in the event of a power outage.
— $7,000 grant to the Pocahontas County Senior Citizens to assist with the nutritional and social needs of the senior population of the county. The grant will help the center to reach out to those who are isolated or alone with meals and socialization and support ongoing programs at the senior centers.
— $10,000 grant to the Rea of Hope Fellowship Home Inc., Charleston, for its Safe Housing and Employment Support Program for women. The ROH works with other agencies to provide safe housing, GED preparation, job readiness programs and other support programs.
— $5,000 grant to the Tri-County Help Center in St. Clairsville, Ohio, to provide essential needs to the victims of domestic violence who are attempting start over. Victims in Belmont County in Ohio and Brooke, Marshall and Wetzel counties in West Virginia will have access to basic household needs when leaving shelters and starting out on their own.
— $7,500 grant to Wheeling Health Right Inc., New Martinsville, to continue to provide free dental care for those in the Northern Panhandle who otherwise would be unable to afford emergency care. The funds will enable the clinic to provide additional services and outreach.
— $8,000 grant to the World Changers in Calhoun County, to provide meals to children in need on weekends and holidays when school is not in session. The program utilizes three county schools to feed nearly 100 students.
“While the Dominion Foundation works year-round to support worthy charitable causes, these grants are earmarked for programs that deliver the basic necessities, such as safe shelter, nutritious meals and medical care, to people in our communities.” said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Foundation. “It is especially fitting during the holidays that we support organizations that are improving lives and building greater stability in the places we call home.”
Eligible organizations in targeted areas of Connecticut, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming were encouraged to apply for grants of up to $50,000 each. More than 300 applications were considered, with selections made based on an organization’s demonstrated ability to serve communities, meet basic human needs and prevent future need.
