Mecklenburg residents get help

March 4, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - As the economic forecast deteriorates, needy people in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area are getting help from their peers.

The Critical Need Response Fund, led by a volunteer group of local citizens and administered by Foundation for the Carolinas, awarded a total of $826,098 in February for food, clothing, shelter and warmth.

The fund, created in early December of 2008, has raised a total of $2.5 million to date and has awarded a total of $2.1 million in grants.

The foundation has waived administrative fees so all money in the fund can be awarded in grants.

The latest round of 11 grants included an award of $432,225 to Crisis Assistance Ministry to make emergency rent or utility payments for families facing eviction of interruption of utility service.

Loaves & Fishes and Second Harvest Food Bank each received $100,000 to purchase food.

And A Child's Place received $51,315 to increase staff to meet additional requests for food and school clothes.

Awards for the final funding cycle will be announced March 12.

Area human-service providers facing increased demand are eligible to apply for grants.

• Email this page