05.05.2009 - 

STUART, Fla. (May 5, 2009) – Bank of America Treasure Coast President Ted Brown announced today a $50,000 donation to United Way of Martin County to be used among the lead matching gifts in the Safety Net Challenge.
 
In response to uncertain and tough times, leaders of four of the largest funders of nonprofit organizations in Palm Beach and Martin counties have created the Safety Net Challenge, an unprecedented collaborative effort to support organizations struggling to meet the surge in demand from families and individuals as the result of the economic crisis.
 
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, Allegany Franciscan Ministries, and Quantum Foundation have each contributed $250,000, for a combined total of $1 million dollars to help address the unprecedented needs for food, shelter, healthcare and child care.

“In tough times like these, our community needs to join together to extend the safety net and help our neighbors in need,” said Leslie Lilly, President of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach Counties. “We are grateful and inspired by the generosity of Bank of America and their corporate leadership in showing that together we can make a difference.”
Bank of America’s contribution will be matched dollar for dollar for a total of $100,000. All donations made in the month of May will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $1 million dollars.
Bank of America’s $50,000 contribution comes during the second week of the Safety Net Challenge, bringing the total amount raised to $300,000.
 
“Many of our neighbors and nonprofit organizations are challenged like never before and Bank of America’s strategy of providing meaningful and relevant support to the communities we serve has never been more important,” said Ted Brown, Treasure Coast president for Bank of America.
 
“The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties and the United Way of Martin County’s leadership in creating the Safety Net Challenge is exactly the right partnership to help deliver much-needed support in our area.  We’re especially pleased 100 percent of all donations will go to local agencies on the front lines of helping some of our communities’ most impacted citizens and we encourage others to get involved.”

Through the challenge, up to $2 million will be distributed through one-time grant awards  made to a limited number of 501(c)(3) charities and agencies serving Palm Beach and Martin Counties that together, provide an array of emergency “safety net” social services  to individuals and families experiencing urgent needs, in the areas of food, shelter, healthcare and child care.
Jim Vojcsik, executive director of the United Way of Martin County, shared at the press conference that the needs are great in Martin County as well. “The Safety Net Challenge could not have come at a better time for our communities,” Vojcsik said. “I thank the funders for their vision and leadership and we are working with our corporate donors to help meet the challenge.”
To donate or learn more visit www.safetynetchallenge.org or contact the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties at (561) 659-6800. The Community Foundation will administer the fund and grant awards on behalf of all partners and is waiving the administrative fees associated with its management of the fund. Updates will also be available on Twitter at www.twitter.com/safetynetmatch.

Throughout the month of May through a series of press conferences and updates on the campaign, area needs will be highlighted. At this second press conference the need for food was noted by Patrick Slattery, executive director, House of Hope, a community service agency that provides food, clothing, case management and emergency financial assistance to people who work hard but find themselves unable to make ends meet.
 
“In normal economic times, low-wage workers and fixed-income seniors depend on House of Hope Food Pantries to fill the gaps,” Slattery said. “During the past two years, however, more and more middle income workers whose hours have been reduced or eliminated completely are turning to House of Hope to make ends meet.”
 
Through the first quarter of this year, House of Hope has distributed nearly 20 tons of food, fulfilling 3,410 requests from individuals and families in need. The requests are more than double the number seen during the same period in 2008.
 
Allegany Franciscan Ministries and the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties recently conducted a survey on the impact of the economy on nonprofit organizations. The survey found a significant number of local organizations believe fundraising in Palm Beach and Martin Counties is getting increasingly difficult. News about available funding diminishing is coming at a time when charities are also being called upon to meet rising demands for urgent safety net social services. The Safety Net Challenge will help to meet some of those needs.
 
 
PHOTO CAPTION:
Eric Kelly, Regional Vice President, Allegany Franciscan Ministries, Inc.; Jim Vojcsik, Executive Director, United Way of Martin County; Ted Brown, Treasure Coast President for Bank of America; Leslie Lilly, President and CEO, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties and Patrick Slattery, Executive Director, House of Hope.
 
About Allegany Franciscan Ministries, Inc.
Allegany Franciscan Ministries, Inc. is a non-profit Catholic organization focused on improving the overall health status of individuals through increasing access to health services and information. Allegany Franciscan Ministries strives to be a catalyst for systemic change, committing resources and working collaboratively to promote physical, mental, spiritual, societal and cultural health and well-being. For more information, please visit http://www.afmfl.org/.
 
About the Children Services Council of Palm Beach County
Children’s Services Council is a special taxing district that invests its resources in programs and services that help Palm Beach County children begin life healthy, enter school ready and thrive in quality after-school activities. For more information, call 740-7000 or visit http://www.cscpbc.org/
 
About the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
The mission of the Community Foundation is to: enhance the quality of life for all residents, now and for future generations; build permanent endowments; address needs through grant making and provide community leadership. Since 1972, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $74 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and over $4.5 million in scholarships to more than 1,200 students. For more information, contact the Community Foundation at (561) 659-6800 or visit www.yourcommunityfoundation.org.
 
About Quantum Foundation
Quantum concentrates its grant making in several areas: to assure that all Palm Beach County residents have access to quality health care at reasonable costs; to improve the quality of care and provide support for people with chronic health conditions; and to promote healthy communities and lifestyles through educational programming. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed over $75 million for health, education and community betterment programs. For more information, please visit http://www.quantumfnd.org/.
 
About House of Hope
House of Hope is a community service agency, founded in 1984, that provides food, clothing, case management and emergency financial assistance to people who work hard but find themselves unable to make ends meet. Clients are typically low-wage service industry workers, low fixed-income senior citizens, single parents, the recently unemployed and people going through personal life crises. www.hohmartin.org.