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Area nonprofits relieved to get much-needed funding

CARES Act fills void created by pandemic

By Wesley LeBlanc wesley@opcfla.com
Posted 7/22/20

CLAY COUNTY – Nonprofits have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic just as the same as local businesses but considering the services nonprofits offer to others, the loss of one could be …

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Area nonprofits relieved to get much-needed funding

CARES Act fills void created by pandemic


Posted

CLAY COUNTY – Nonprofits have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic just as the same as local businesses but considering the services nonprofits offer to others, the loss of one could be devastating for a community.

Nonprofits are the source of many people’s supplies and food, and in some cases, they’re a safe haven for those struggling in a number of different ways. The CARES Act will help keep these nonprofits above water and readjust their services to fit into the way things work right now.

“I couldn’t be more pleased,” Quigley House CEO Susan Atwell said. “The generosity is really overwhelming and well-needed for us.”

The Quigley House is a domestic violence and sexual assault center that provides services like counseling, financial education, housing and more to assault survivors. A lot of the nonprofits work traditionally happens in person but the coronavirus has made that more difficult. That’s why the organization applied for the CARES Act with technology in mind.

Atwell said many survivors are more willing to participate in one-on-one virtual sessions and the CARES Act money will help fund that service. It will also help fund everything needed for virtual exams.

“We have to do business differently,” Atwell said. “This money will help us do that.”

BASCA CEO Beth Clarke said the CARES Act funding they’re set to receive, roughly $34,000, will go toward technology and protective health supplies. A lot of work needs to be done remotely now and the money will help the nonprofit purchase laptops. It will also help BASCA purchase masks, gloves, thermometers and other supplies needed to ensure the work that is happening in person is happening safely.

BASCA has a number of group homes where people live and right now, they’re not allowed to leave the houses. Families can’t visit them either unless they visit outside.

“We can buy umbrellas, chairs and tables to make that visiting experience more pleasant,” Clarke said. “We’ll also be able to buy things like cornhole to give them things to do while stuck at home.”

Challenge Enterprises CEO Nancy Keating said the money Challenge Enterprises receives will be used to purchase a new refrigerated trailer. Challenge Enterprises has been wanting to expand its food distribution capabilities for a while and doing so is especially important right now during this state of emergency when families need food.

Keating said that Challenge Enterprises is a commodities distribution provider for Keystone Heights, Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Middleburg and Clay Hill and now the nonprofit will be able to provide fresh foods.

“We provide staple foods but now we’re able to receive fresh fruit and vegetables, refrigerated items and frozen foods because of this trailer,” Keating said. “The significance of the CARES grant is we were able to identify a need and the county was able to reward Challenge Enterprises the money to buy a refrigerated trailer that will enable us to provide even more for our community.

“That wouldn’t be possible without the CARES Act.”