United Way awards $50,000 in grants

Also, Books and Booze returns to The Coterie

This article is brought to you by Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union.

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The United Way Board of Directors is proud to announce the next investment of community grants. United Way of Howard and Tipton Counties will award $50,000 in Resiliency Grants. to six local nonprofits.

Bridges Outreach and the Family Service Association each will receive $9,000, while to Turning Point, Bona Vista, Project Access, and Coordinated Assistance Ministries are awarded $8,000.

“We want to thank the community for being patient and continuing to invest in the future of United Way,” said Kaleb Hollingsworth, chairman of the United Way Board of Directors. “We appreciate your patience and support as we have worked diligently to move to a new and exciting future.

“We know that United Way has been a champion for residents not only by offering free services like free tax prep, but also by offering information and referral services, weekend food for children via the Buddy Bags program, Veterans services via Mission United and more. If the last year has shown us anything, it’s that if United Way doesn’t do something, then it doesn’t get done. This is work that if left undone could have dire consequences. The funds raised allow us to offer relief to families and individuals through local agencies.”

Before the pandemic, nearly one-fourth of households were ALICE — Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, and Employed — a term United Way uses to describe the demographic they serve. These households make just a little too much to qualify for public assistance, but not enough to fully meet their basic budget, let alone set aside any savings for a safety net when crises hit.

“The history of United Way locally is filled with community members stepping up and donating year after year, especially when we know our most vulnerable citizens are in need,” said Hollingsworth. “The pandemic stole lives, jobs, and homes. It set our children back in school and has exposed mental health issues across the communities we serve.

“We know these challenges can feel overwhelming. If you need assistance, please call 765-457-HELP.”

Donations can be made securely at unitedwayhoco.org, by calling 765-457-HELP (4357) or by mailing a check to United Way of Howard and Tipton Counties, 210 W Walnut St, Kokomo, IN 46901.

Books and Booze returns to The Coterie

For those who miss the days of school book fairs, the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library is offering a book sale just for adults.

Books and Booze returns on Aug. 9 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The event is open to adults 21 and older and offers a chance to find used books at affordable prices. People can also bring their gently used books to swap at the sale.

This is the second year this sale will be hosted at The Coterie, located at 107 W. Sycamore St., offering visitors a spot to enjoy craft cocktails while perusing the sale.

Books are provided by the Friends of the Library, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library. The Friends of the Library fall book sale, which will feature a larger display of books for sale, will take place Oct. 5-7, with Oct. 7 open to educators; Oct. 6 open to members only; and Oct. 7 open to the general public.