The Johnson County Community Foundation (JCCF) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Johnson County Commissioners to create a grant opportunity that will distribute $98,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to address food insecurity and the need for personal care items in Johnson County.
A person is food insecure when they lack regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life. This may be due to unavailability of food and/or lack of resources to obtain food. Personal care items are defined as consumer products used for personal hygiene.
Applications will be accepted for this noncompetitive grant opportunity through Dec. 9 (applications can be found at jccf.org). Approved grant recipients will be notified by the county.
The opportunity is open to organizations providing food pantry service, defined as those operations that provide food items and personal care items for distribution at a fixed location. These organizations may also provide delivery of food and personal care items. The grant opportunity does not include organizations that provide prepared meals for consumption on site or via delivery.
Other criteria for consideration are:
- Must be located in Johnson County, Ind. and serve residents of Johnson County
- Must be a registered 501(c)(3) or equivalent
- Must be able to certify that it is not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities
- Must be able to provide all information requested in the application including information about the number of households served by the applicant organization’s food pantry program
- Must be able to certify that no funds provided pursuant to the grant funding
- Program will be used to advance inherently religious activity and that the provision of food pantry service by the applicant organization will not be conditioned on participation in any inherently religious activity.
- Documentation of expenditures is required.
- Funds must be spent by March 2024.
“JCCF is honored to be assisting the County Commissioners and the ARPA Committee in helping to distribute food and personal care items in Johnson County. According to Gleaners Food Bank, demand has increased by 75% since 2019, which represents over 9% of Johnson County’s population and puts a significant strain on current resources”, stated Gail Richards, President & CEO of the Johnson County Community Foundation.
For more information, contact Gail Richards at (317) 738-2213 or Ron Deer, Johnson County Councilmember, at (317) 882-2418.