VNA Community Services in Galesburg has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the state to help make sure Knox County seniors don’t go hungry.
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced the grant Monday as part of nearly $200,000 in Charitable Trust grants going to 10 small nonprofits across Illinois that provide food and housing assistance.
“The need we see grows exponentially every year, and we simply cannot meet it alone,” said Michael Bennett, executive director of VNA Community Services. “Support like this gives us the ability to make sure no senior in Knox County has to go to bed hungry or worry about where their next meal will come from.
“Grants like this are more than financial support, they are an investment in dignity. As the demand for services continues to rise, this funding helps ensure that every senior in Knox County has the peace of mind of knowing they won’t have to face hunger alone.”
The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund is supported by fees that larger nonprofits pay when filing annual reports with the Illinois Secretary of State, not by tax dollars. The fund has awarded more than $5.2 million to 209 nonprofits since 2017.
“Through these grants, we are lending a hand to people who are struggling to meet basic needs like food and shelter,” Frerichs said. “We recognize that people are faced with higher housing costs and grocery prices while the federal government is abandoning its responsibilities.
“We are proud to team up with these nonprofit organizations that strengthen their communities by diligently working to improve the lives of Illinoisans in need.”
The next grant application period for small nonprofits runs July 1 through Sept. 30. More information is available at ilcharitabletrust.com.
