Local agencies receive grants to help residents with basic needs

Fourteen Indianapolis-based organizations will benefit from grants through Glick Philanthropies.

It’s part of the Glick Community Relief Fund, established to support organizations helping individuals and families affected directly or indirectly by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund identifies organizations meeting basic needs like food access, transportation, emergency shelter, utility assistance, mental health support and social isolation, and learning loss.

One of this year’s recipients is The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis.

Clinical Director Julie Sondhelm said the grant will help fund its Transportation Solutions Program and expand its food pantry offerings of staple items.

“Our pantry and just general agency clients are really experiencing issues with housing, food prices, gas prices, so they have to make tough choices on a weekly, daily and monthly basis,” Sondhelm said.

The other Indianapolis-based organizations receiving grants include: Bethel Family Worship Center, Crooked Creek Food Pantry, Damien Center, Eagle Creek Church of Christ – Joseph Plan Pantry, Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County, Indy Hunger Network, Lakeview Church, Martindale Brightwood CDC, One Heart Indiana at Sagamore Institute, Purdue Extension – Marion County, Soul Food Project, St. Vincent de Paul Indianapolis, and Salvation Army Eagle Creek Corps Community Center.

Ben Grande, director of philanthropy at Glick Philanthropies, said the struggle for basic needs is a problem in many communities.

“Whether COVID or rising inflation, the need for these basic needs has only increased,” Grande said.

This year marks the seventh year for Glick Philanthropies.  Through the initiative, more than $3.5 million has been awarded to roughly 225 organizations in several states, including $640,000 to organizations in Indianapolis.

The full list of the 90 Community Relief Fund grantees can be found at glickphilanthropies.org.

Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Taylor Bennett at tbennett@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @TaylorB2213.