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$221,000 in emergency support awarded to 18 Abbotsford charities

Community foundation distributes grants to address pandemic needs
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A resident of Tabor Village displays the amount that the location received as part of the Emergency Community Support Fund. (Submitted photo)

The Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) has awarded $221,000 in grants to 18 charities to address some of the most pressing needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects on the community’s most vulnerable citizens.

The grants announced are part of the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF), funded by the federal government.

The ECSF is a $350 million fund that is being implemented with Community Foundations of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and United Way Centraide Canada, in partnership with local foundations across the country.

“The effects of this pandemic on the charitable sector and the people that they serve are far-reaching and extremely challenging. We are pleased to be able to assist in flowing this funding to our community,” said ACF board chair Andrea Senft.

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Among the local charities that received funding are Tabor Village, which was awarded $20,000 to purchase laptops and robotic pets to help their senior residents cope with the impacts of COVID-19.

Big Brothers Big Sisters also received $20,000, to support young people in managing their isolation due to the pandemic.

The John Howard Society of the Lower Mainland received almost $17,000 to provide essential hygiene and safety supplies for people facing complex barrier and marginalization issues in Abbotsford.

The ACF has distributed more than $11 million in grants since 1979.

For a full list of grants awarded through Community Foundations of Canada’s network, visit communityfoundations.ca (click on “current initiatives” and then “emergency community support fund”).

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