Local Charities Receive Grants From Community Foundation

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by the Lawrence Township Community Foundation.

Five local charities that support Lawrence residents in need got a boost from the Lawrence Township Community Foundation (LTCF) at a check presentation ceremony on Feb. 26 at HomeFront’s Lawrence Community Center on Eggerts Crossing Road. 

All the groups have experienced not only increased demand for their services but also greater difficulty in fundraising due to Hurricane Sandy. 

Each year, LTCF awards over $50,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations serving Lawrence residents.  A special fundraising effort this fall enabled LTCF to divide $3,800 among the five agencies.

Organizations receiving the emergency funds are the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK), the Crisis Ministry of Mercer County, Mercer Street Friends, the Rescue Mission of Trenton, and HomeFront.

While they offer many and varied services, all five work collaboratively throughout the year and together provide critical help with food and shelter. 

For example, TASK expects to serve 220,000 meals this year, while HomeFront helps families find permanent, affordable housing.  The Mercer Street Friends Food Bank distributes 2.5 million pounds of food to local residents, and runs a program that sends food home with elementary school children over the weekend. 

The Rescue Mission of Trenton offers both meals and emergency shelter, and the Crisis Ministry of Mercer County operates several food pantries and job-training programs.

For a decade the Lawrence Township Community Foundation has supported non-profit groups serving the needs of Lawrence Township principally through managing cash grants contributed by its major sponsors, Educational Testing Service, Bristol-Myers Squibb and the Lawrenceville School.

The Foundation also accepts gifts from individuals.  For information on how you can support LTCF or the other community organizations, email ltcfnj@gmail.com or visit www.ltcfnj.org.