County Gets $265,170 in Block Grants for Local Nonprofits

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson County has been awarded $265,170 in federal Communiyt Block Grant Development funds through the South Carolina Commerce Department, part of a special COVID-response initiative offered by the federal government for public service initiatives.

Funding is intended to assist with community support efforts related to the pandemic. Applicants were required to data-driven evidence to establish the nature and extent of community need.  Because of this requirement, some programs were either ineligible or not competitive for funding., and an evaluation to justify amounts requested for the various programs for which funding was requested.

The grant program was developed in consultation with United Way and in repsonse to several needs identified by local nonprofits.  In addition, funds were requested and approve for a new initiative in the county’s Special Populations Recreation program. The funded activities are as follows: 

1. The “Virtual Rainbow Gang” provides online recreational opportunities for local persons with physical or developmental disabilities as offered by the Anderson County Special Populations Program. This program supports recommended social distancing/quarantining guidelines and remote engagement by a vulnerable population.  AWARD AMOUNT: $20,000
2. “Ride-To-Work Anderson” is a new program offered by South Main Mercy Center designed to provide transportation and other support services for the growing numbers of jobless persons in our area.  AWARD AMOUNT: $50,000
3. “Food Bank Support” supports increased demand for services attributable to pandemic-related economic conditions. Second Harvest Food Bank will serve as the project partner for this program. AWARD AMOUNT: $65,000
4. Activities in the “Mental Health First-Aid” program are intended to provide publicly-available mental health first aid in response to the increased call for mental health services during the pandemic.  Mental health first-aid training and program oversight will be managed by the United Way.  AWARD AMOUNT: $30,000

 “Community Partner Support” will assist local agencies that have requested additional resources due to increased demand for services since the onset of the pandemic. United Way will be responsible for program oversight and fund distribution.  AWARD AMOUNT: $100,170 

1. Crossways Ministries: addiction recovery services; $10,000
2. Foothills Alliance: domestic violence/sexual assault response/recovery services; $40.000
3. Hearts in Harmony: support and equine recreational therapy for clients of New Foundations (residential care for emotionally-troubled youth) and Calvary Home for Children (child victims of abuse/neglect) as well as several veterans groups and recovery program participants;$15,160
4. Upstate Warrior Solutions: comprehensive wellness support for veterans; $40,000