After a busy 2023 where 50 to 60 families were assisted, the Greater Salem Area Foundation starts the new year with a $2,500 Gratitude grant from the National Elks Foundation.
The Elk’s Mike Hooe says the grant wraps up a busy year where $18,500 in grants were received to assist the community in 2023.
“I personally was unaware of exactly what they did so once I found out I thought man what a great choice and we are really proud to help them out this year.”
Tabatha Meador of the Foundation Board says the $2,500 grant will be put to good use.
“Minus the tornado donations and contributions that we made last year, the year of 2023 we were able to finance $26,000 worth of assistance to families in the Salem Community High School District.”
Meador overviewed their help provided last year.
“This is a great contribution to the Foundation. This will potentially help out 5 families with hardship applications to the Foundation. So this means a lot to us.”
Meador says applications made to the nine member voluntary board who reviews them weekly. The foundation helps with one time emergency expenses such as utility payments, mortgages or car repairs. Meador wants to eliminate a misconception that you are eliminated from consideration if you have a job. Not so, in fact they prefer to help those who are helping themselves who end up between a rock and a hard place.
Applications are available on their website SalemILFoundation.com or you can e-mail them at salemilfoundation@gmail.com
