CenDel & DCF Award $235K to Kent County Nonprofits

The CenDel Foundation and the Delaware Community Foundation have distributed $235,000 in grants to nonprofits focused on emergency housing, homelessness, hunger and health care. The grants were distributed from the Benjamin Potter Charity Trust, a fund administered by CenDel and the Delaware Community Foundation. Grants were distributed to nine organizations in November. The grant amounts ranged from $15,000 to $40,000.

The 2018 recipients included the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, Cancer Support Community of Delaware, Catholic Charities, Communities in Schools, Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Food Bank of Delaware, Milford Housing Development Corporation, NCALL Research and Westside Healthcare.

The funding will be used by the recipients to help feed, house, and provide health and educational services to those in need in central Delaware. The largest grant, totaling $40,000, was awarded to the Boys and Girls Club. The money will be used to provide weekend meals to children and to expand the food pantries at three Kent County Boys and Girls Club sites.

According to John Wellons, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, “The money will allow us to expand our food bag program for kids to Kent County. Through a partnership with the Harry K. Foundation, we’ll be able to offer food bags to kids so they have a little extra on their stomachs during the weekend. Food insecurity is such a huge issue in Delaware.

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition also received a $30,000 grant that will assist cancer patients with out-of-pocket medical costs, rent and transportation. According to Lois Wilkinson of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, “We really appreciate receiving this grant. I just can’t tell you how many letters and thank yous we receive from those we help. They are overwhelmed from their diagnosis and are grateful for whatever we can do. From helping them pay for their heat or electric, it makes a big difference.”

The Potter Trust, established by Colonel Benjamin Potter in 1843 is one of the oldest trusts in the nation and has helped the economically underprivileged in Kent County for 175 years.

Photo: Recipients of the CenDel and Delaware Community Foundation grants included the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, Cancer Support Community of Delaware, Catholic Charities, Communities in Schools, Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Food Bank of Delaware, Milford Housing Development Corporation, NCALL Research and Westside Healthcare.