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Through its donor funds, RCCF distributed $467,000 in 2008 and has granted over $3 million since 1996, according to foundation literature. The funds support cultural, educational, medical and social philanthropy as RCCF assists donors looking for a vehicle to reach those in need.

“It’s a huge umbrella,” said Sciacchitano. “When everybody was realizing the severity of the recession early last year, a special fund was created to help with a potential loss of donations for critical needs. But it’s not that much money to go around.”

Safety Net fund

Early in 2009, the board of trustees of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund in Jacksonville, Fla., which granted over $368,944 in 2008 for Northern Neck community projects, decided to grant extra funds to offset the anticipated drop in charitable donations because of the recession, according to fund spokesperson Mary Cress Littlepage.

The duPont Fund board created a program called the Safety Net Fund, said Littlepage. It challenged the communities it serves, including RCCF, offering matching funds to what could be raised locally. The RCCF money would be distributed to social services departments, local food banks through the Central Virginia Food Bank and the River Counties Red Cross.

The Rev. Dr. Ed King is one of the program officers with the duPont Fund. He works as the Northern Neck contact and was in Kilmarnock in late October to meet with members of the Safety Net Fund committee, including Sciacchitano and RCCF executive director Margaret Nost.

“The fund grew out of a concern by the board of trustees about the economic situation,” said King. “It’s a time of stress. Folks are losing their houses and falling behind in rent.”

“The money is to fill in the gaps for situations that aren’t covered by social services,” said Sciacchitano. “We asked them to let us know where people are falling through the cracks.”

In the Northern Neck, the duPont Fund offered a two-for-one match to the RCCF. These funds were also supplemented by the Community Foundation serving Richmond and Central Virginia, of which RCCF is an affiliate. As of mid-November, $20,650 was raised locally, according to executive director Margaret Nost. The duPont Fund matching grant totaled $50,000 and the Richmond foundation added $12,500, Nost said.

The total of $83,150 is currently being distributed, with $25,000 going to each of the county’s social service departments, $6,150 divided between the nine food banks in the service area and $2,000 going to the River Counties Red Cross.

The nine food banks in the three counties are at the White Stone Church of the Nazarene, the Holy Tabernacle of God Church in Merry Point, St. Paul’s Holy Church in Lively, Gleamers and Blenders in Burgess, Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Heathsville, the New Friendship Food Pantry in Burgess, New Life Ministries near Kilmarnock, the Northumberland Community Center at Brown’s Store and Rappahannock Civic Club in Topping.

In Northumberland

Northumberland Department of Social Services director Sharon Fisher said they received their share of the money on November 16.

“We are very grateful and it will be extremely beneficial,” said Fisher. “We have a number of people coming in with financial crisises.”

Fisher said the money would be granted to folks on a case by case basis, according to duPont Fund guidelines, after all other possible avenues of assistance through state and federal programs are exhausted. She said she hopes there will be more funds becoming available through this program, but that they were treating it as a one-time boost at this time.

In Lancaster

Edna Davenport, head of the Lancaster County Social Services, is also appreciative of the extra money. She said they received their share of the funds last week.

“It is much needed,” said Davenport, pointing out that the department serves over 500 residents through just the fuel assistance program. “We’re trying to serve an increased need with less resources. We plan on accepting applications for the funds on December 1. We will screen applicants by financial need.”

Outreach example

The largest food bank in the Northern Neck is operated out of the White Stone Church of the Nazarene (WSCON) by compassionate ministry pastor Lance Barton and other volunteers. The church has run its food bank for 12 years. Barton said the funds are a “Godsend.”

“People need to know that the Central Virginia Food Bank (CVFB) is the lifeblood of the local food banks,” said Barton. “This money is a blessing.”

He said the money credited to WSCON’s food bank account from the Safety Net Fund will feed 200 families for three to five months. Local food banks can buy any type of food for 17 cents a pound from the CVBF, according to Barton.

The money came just in time for Thanksgiving. Barton distributes food on the second Saturday of each month. On November 14, more than 100 people came to the church to pick up food bank orders and enjoy a free breakfast cooked by church volunteers.

“Nobody is turned away that wants food,” said Barton of the monthly feasts. Families that want to participate in the food bank must fill out an application showing financial need.

Boxes of food were hand delivered by other volunteers to another 53 families in the area. Willie Bell and Mike Kues of WSCON drove Barton’s pickup to 20 families in lower Lancaster County that morning. They were warmly welcomed everywhere they went.

“We can’t wait to get the food,” said Alice Robinson, as she sat in her wheelchair in the kitchen of her home near Morratico. She is a diabetic who lost her legs to the illness several years ago. Her son, William Jones, and his three children, Joshua, Jeremiah and Samariah Judea, live with her and depend on the food as well.

Barton was grateful for the extra funds, but is always looking for donations to help with the ministry. There are only a couple of dozen turkeys available this year, less than half what they gave away last year. Barton was hopeful that good Samaritans would enable his volunteers to deliver freshly donated birds the following week for Thanksgiving.

Anyone interested in donating or getting more information about the RCCF can call 438-9414, e-mail mnost@tcfrichmond.org, or visit rivercountiescf.org.