(HOUMA) The Bayou Community Foundation (BCF) presented grants totaling $175,090 to 27 nonprofit organizations serving residents in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes and Grand Isle during Round 3 of the Bayou Recovery Fund for COVID-19 Relief grants program on October 20.
Since April, the Foundation has distributed 80 grants totaling $616,770 to local organizations specifically for COVID-19 Relief efforts from its donor-supported Bayou Recovery Fund. The emergency grants help nonprofits provide additional food, financial assistance, and protective equipment to meet the growing needs of residents right here in our Bayou Region as the health and economic crisis continues.
“Bayou Community Foundation activated the Bayou Recovery Fund for COVID-19 Relief in March to provide hope and help to local residents in need during the pandemic, which has resulted in over $616,000 in grants for relief efforts right here at home over the past seven months. That is an amazing investment in our community during these unbelievably challenging times,” said Bayou Community Foundation President Henry Lafont.
“We are grateful to all of our donors who have shared their gifts with Bayou Community Foundation so that, together, we can fill the most critical needs of our community during this crisis. We also recognize the tremendous work of all local nonprofits who have made adjustments and taken on new challenges to serve the neediest among us,” Lafont said.
The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent economic downturn has resulted in a surge of unemployment in our area, with thousands of local residents turning to nonprofit organizations for help in filling basic needs for their families. The BCF grants awarded in this third round of funding from the Bayou Recovery Fund for COVID-19 Relief will support food banks and hot meals for the hungry, rent and utility payment assistance, emergency shelter for the homeless, distribution of masks and cleaning supplies, baby care items for high-need mothers, and training programs for the unemployed.
“We help local veterans overcome the burden of PTSD, which, during normal times, is difficult enough. With so many job losses happening due to the pandemic, the stress on our veterans is even greater. This grant will go a long way to assist our local heroes with food, rent, mortgage, utility and insurance payments so they can take care of their families and themselves. We appreciate Bayou Community Foundation’s support very much and are overwhelmed by their generosity and the generosity of all donors,” said Brok Torbert of South Louisiana Veteran Outreach, recipient of a second $10,000 grant.
BCF continues to accept tax-deductible contributions to fund its grant programs for Lafourche, Terrebonne and Grand Isle nonprofits, as well as other initiatives to strengthen our Bayou Region. Tax-deductible donations may be made at www.BayouCF.org.