To electrify new growth for families in crisis
The excitement surrounding BlueOval City is electric, and not just because Ford is building their F-150® Lightning™. The Ford Fund, Ford Motor Company’s philanthropic arm, recently announced a $1 million grant program to benefit organizations in the region surrounding BlueOval City. Over 200 grant submissions were received. Fayette Cares was honored and grateful to be one of only 17 agencies awarded funds!
This partnership with the Ford Fund, coupled with your contributions, fundraising event proceeds, and an Emergency Solutions Grant, will power program expansions to meet the growing needs of our community. Exciting new changes are coming to the facility on N. Main Street in Somerville, which once housed a donation drop site and thrift shop. This site is being renovated to nearly triple the emergency food pantry and expand the homeless shelter to a total of 31 beds.
With better refrigeration equipment and more food storage Fayette Cares can answer the cry for help from the estimated 4,350 (10.7%) food insecure people in Fayette County. Not only can we fill hungry bellies and calm fears of food insecurity, we can distribute more high-quality foods like fresh produce, dairy, and meats, to nourish and strengthen families.
The shelter expansion will give children and adults a safe space with warm beds, clean kitchens, bubbly baths, and cozy living areas to recover and rebuild. We also continue to offer trauma informed services, including aid that does not require children to be separated from their parent(s) or divide multi-generational families.
Some were concerned that because we can no longer receive furniture and housewares we wouldn’t be able to provide donated items to our families. But once again, our caring community steps up to meet the need. With little more than a quick post on social media, just about any request we have is answered within minutes!
We continue to operate a charitable thrift shop on the Somerville Court Square to provide donated clothing and apparel to families in need and raise funds for services. Your gently used clothing donations are still needed and can be brought to our 24 hour drop boxes in Somerville and Oakland (more locations coming soon!)
Thanks to contributions from supporters like you, as our community grows so does our power to care for neighbors in need. Your donations make sure everyone in our community can have a bright future.
