MAKING A
DIFFERENCE DURING COVID-19 STORIES OF BGAV GRANTS As an immediate response to COVID-19, the BGAV made $100,000 available to congregations in order to assist them in reaching the most vulnerable people in their communities affected by the pandemic. In early May, the BGAV became aware of the Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund, which is a grant offered by the Community Foundation of Greater Richmond. Knowing that there were still churches in the central Virginia area seeking funds to reach their communities, the BGAV applied for and received $25,000 to distribute to churches located within the region. We hope to reapply for another grant in the near future as these funds are distributed. We are excited to partner with yet another group that has a concern for its community and can assist us in reaching them.
Elk Creek Baptist Church Louisa, VA by Mickey Robertson First, on behalf of Elk Creek Baptist Church, Goshen Association, and the community of Louisa, allow me to express my gratitude to the Community Foundation of Greater Richmond’s Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund, administered by the BGAV, for the recent grant of $1,000 to battle hunger during this crisis. It has taken more than local efforts to fill the many voids showing up in the wake of this virus. Regional partners have filled the gaps as well, and this case is proof. We applied for the grant for the Resource Council of Louisa County’s Food Bank. It has continued to function through the crisis. The needs it addresses are critical. In an average week, hundreds of people have their food needs covered through the generosity of businesses, of civic foundations, and the generous donation of time by volunteers. Twelve hundred people a month would normally visit the food bank, having been already cleared by the county for need. From the month of March, need has grown by 25%. The 1,500 or so people the past few months who have depended on the Food Bank represent around 15% of the county’s total population. Situated between three cities— Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, and Richmond—the need in rural Louisa stands out. As a chaplain for the Sheriff’s Office, I see on every ride-along the crying need firsthand. When we hand out gifts to people in need at Christmas, our church is always overwhelmed by someone they come into contact with who needs help. There is a handful of our members who have donned masks and gloves for months now and witnessed firsthand the explosion of need.
Elk Creek Baptist Church partnered with the Resource Council of Louisa County’s Food Bank to serve over 1,500 people in their local community since March 2020. The Food Bank is facing a money problem by the end of July. Part of that centered around a program that feeds children-funding for which was due to run out at the end of June. We offered the grant money to continue the program. With it, the Food Bank can feed 400 children through Labor Day, as they can buy in bulk at 19 cents per dollar. The gift will therefore allow them to bridge the gap until (hopefully) schools start up again and their programs can help fill the need.
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From all of us at Elk Creek, and I know expressing the gratitude of the Food Bank and the surrounding community, we say once again thanks for being there in such a harsh time.
