COVID-19 Relief Funding Partners:
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Everything Changed, Covid-19
In March of 2020, like the rest of the world, Morningstar was faced with realization that we would need to re-think our entire operation. No longer able to have weekly sit-down meals, Morningstar began to pivot towards a take-out meal program. We were fortunate to have support from local organizations and businesses to help us keep getting food to vulnerable people who needed it. By the late spring of 2020 the federal government announced the creation of the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). We recognized that this pandemic was creating challenges that seemed unprecedented and certain to disproportionately affect those in poverty. Morningstar had never solicited government money, but we felt that our community should have an opportunity to share in this federal money that was being made available. Morningstar began applying for these grants in two separate rounds between July 2020 and Mar. 31 2021. These funds would be distributed locally through the Community Foundation of Lennox & Addington and the United Way KFLA. We were also able to access funds through Prince Edward Lennox & Addington Social Services.
Individual Covid Relief Grants
Community Foundations of Canada and Community Foundation for Lennox &Addington
With ECSF grants distributed through Community Foundations of Canada and our local Community Foundation for L&A totaling $31,144, Morningstar was able to expand our refrigeration and freezer capacity, cover lease costs to access the commercial kitchen of the Napanee Lion’s hall, acquire necessary plexiglass barriers, and expand the capacity of our kitchen with additional kitchen supplies and equipment. We were also able to purchase 2 software ready laptop computers.
Additionally, our local Community Foundation for L&A provided us $5,210 through a “community grant” to help us cover 3 additional months rent at the Lion’s Hall for continued access to their commercial kitchen.
United Way Centraid and United Way KFL&A
With ECSF grants distributed through United Way Centraid and stewarded through our local United Way KFL&A totaling $49,760, Morningstar was able to have food costs, containers, materials and supplies for 900 meals per week for 9 months, a pop-up gazebo tent, 6 large Insulated bags for transport and delivery, 20 totes, 24 freezer packs, and printed sandwich board signage. Additionally, United Way KFLA provided us a $10,000 grant through their local Covid-19 Response Fund.
Prince Edward Lennox & Addington Social Services (PELASS)
By accessing special Social Service Relief Funding our local Social Services PELASS was able to help Morningstar by providing $59,895 in funding to allow Morningstar to solidify our takeout meal program.
The Pandemic continues, but Morningstar's Programs more secure:
Funding support through the ECSF grants and local our local community partners was critical to help Morningstar to weather the unpredictable nature of the pandemic from the summer of 2020 through until the spring of 2021. Although the majority of the grant monies were only meant to sustain Morningstar until April of 2021, Morningstar has grown it’s donor base, and with the success of the annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser, we have been able to maintain the take-out meal program at approximately 1,100 meals a week.
In March of 2020, like the rest of the world, Morningstar was faced with realization that we would need to re-think our entire operation. No longer able to have weekly sit-down meals, Morningstar began to pivot towards a take-out meal program. We were fortunate to have support from local organizations and businesses to help us keep getting food to vulnerable people who needed it. By the late spring of 2020 the federal government announced the creation of the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). We recognized that this pandemic was creating challenges that seemed unprecedented and certain to disproportionately affect those in poverty. Morningstar had never solicited government money, but we felt that our community should have an opportunity to share in this federal money that was being made available. Morningstar began applying for these grants in two separate rounds between July 2020 and Mar. 31 2021. These funds would be distributed locally through the Community Foundation of Lennox & Addington and the United Way KFLA. We were also able to access funds through Prince Edward Lennox & Addington Social Services.
Individual Covid Relief Grants
Community Foundations of Canada and Community Foundation for Lennox &Addington
With ECSF grants distributed through Community Foundations of Canada and our local Community Foundation for L&A totaling $31,144, Morningstar was able to expand our refrigeration and freezer capacity, cover lease costs to access the commercial kitchen of the Napanee Lion’s hall, acquire necessary plexiglass barriers, and expand the capacity of our kitchen with additional kitchen supplies and equipment. We were also able to purchase 2 software ready laptop computers.
Additionally, our local Community Foundation for L&A provided us $5,210 through a “community grant” to help us cover 3 additional months rent at the Lion’s Hall for continued access to their commercial kitchen.
United Way Centraid and United Way KFL&A
With ECSF grants distributed through United Way Centraid and stewarded through our local United Way KFL&A totaling $49,760, Morningstar was able to have food costs, containers, materials and supplies for 900 meals per week for 9 months, a pop-up gazebo tent, 6 large Insulated bags for transport and delivery, 20 totes, 24 freezer packs, and printed sandwich board signage. Additionally, United Way KFLA provided us a $10,000 grant through their local Covid-19 Response Fund.
Prince Edward Lennox & Addington Social Services (PELASS)
By accessing special Social Service Relief Funding our local Social Services PELASS was able to help Morningstar by providing $59,895 in funding to allow Morningstar to solidify our takeout meal program.
The Pandemic continues, but Morningstar's Programs more secure:
Funding support through the ECSF grants and local our local community partners was critical to help Morningstar to weather the unpredictable nature of the pandemic from the summer of 2020 through until the spring of 2021. Although the majority of the grant monies were only meant to sustain Morningstar until April of 2021, Morningstar has grown it’s donor base, and with the success of the annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser, we have been able to maintain the take-out meal program at approximately 1,100 meals a week.
