<h2>41 regional nonprofits have gotten $556,000<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>to address COVID-19 needs</h2>
<strong>From staff reports</strong>

In its eighth round of COVID-19-related grantmaking since April, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has awarded an additional $97,600 to 10 organizations that are addressing critical needs resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. To date, a total of $556,000 has been granted to 41 organizations in the organization’s service area of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry established the Lowcountry Community COVID-19 Response Fund in mid-March to rapidly deploy funds to nonprofit organizations addressing the needs of individuals and families struggling from the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A grants advisory committee, comprised of community leaders from Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties, reviews the grant applications.

In this most recent round of grantmaking, the advisory committee expanded the criteria to include education-related needs, in addition to food, housing and medical assistance.

“We realized that, though food and housing insecurity continues to be a hardship for many, the start of the school year has created some unique educational challenges,” interim President and CEO of the Community Foundation Jackie Rosswurm said. “Parents with the financial need to continue working

need help ensuring their children are getting online instruction. Local nonprofit organizations have stepped up to create virtual learning hubs or to provide safe and clean locations where children can get instruction. The Community Foundation is helping fund these efforts.”

Rosswurm stresses that needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic are not easing. “There are still many people struggling to make ends meet, to feed their families and pay their rent and utility bills,” she said. “And this is expected to continue for many months. We urge people to consider making a donation to our Lowcountry Community COVID-19 Response Fund so we can continue to provide funding for local front line organizations.”

The following organizations have received grants in this 10th round of grantmaking:

Agape Family Life Center (Beaufort and Jasper Counties): for direct emergency financial assistance (rent/mortgage and utilities) for at least 25 families who are facing hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Antioch Education Center (Jasper County): Second grant – to support education programs and food pantry, serving Jasper County residents with increased needs as a result of COVID-19.

Boys &amp; Girls Club of the Lowcountry – Bluffton (Beaufort County): to support technology expenses required for the Virtual Hub Program that provides online learning programs for students who are attending virtual school at the Club while their parents work.

Boys &amp; Girls Club of Lowcountry – Hilton Head Island (Beaufort County): to support the Distance Learning Assistance Program that provides educational support to students who attend virtual school at the Club while their parents work.

The Children’s Center, Inc. (Beaufort County): for an online school program created to support children who are learning virtually while their parents work, related to COVID-19 school closures.

First Estill Baptist Church (Hampton County): for food and supplies needed to support and expand the First Estill Baptist Food Pantry, serving Hampton County families who are facing food shortages due to COVID-19.

The LEGACY Foundation of SC (Jasper County): for their 3rd to 6th grade virtual tutoring program for students in Jasper County who are attending online school due to COVID-19 school closures.

Neighborhood Outreach Connection (Beaufort County): Third grant – for technology and cleaning supplies necessary to provide a safe environment for virtual learning for low-income students at their northern Hilton Head Island location.

Programs for Exceptional People (PEP) (Beaufort County): for cleaning supplies to keep members and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sandalwood Community Food Pantry (Beaufort County): Second grant – to meet the substantial need for food for low-income residents of Hilton Head Island who face hardships due to COVID-19.

Because the needs created by COVID-19 will continue, the Lowcountry Community COVID-19 Response Fund is still accepting donations. If you’d like to make a tax-exempt donation to the Lowcountry Community COVID-19 Response Fund, you can do so by visiting the Community Foundation’s home page at www.cf-lowcountry.org or by going to the fund’s donation landing page at https://cflowcountry.civicore.com/covid.