June 15, 2022—The Koinonia Foundation, caring for neighbors in crisis, bestowed $22,000 in grants to local nonprofits and honored its 2022 Russell Dew Community Service Award winner during a June 14 reception.
The reception followed Koinonia’s June Board meeting held at The Loading Dock Wake Forest. The annual grant funding will help eight local charitable organizations in the greater Wake Forest, Rolesville and Youngsville areas contend with human needs not otherwise adequately addressed.
“As our community continues to grow, we’re seeing more of our neighbors in need,” said Holden McLemore, Koinonia Foundation Board member and grants coordinator. “Supporting our neighbors during times of crisis, no strings attached, and seeing how every contribution big or small can change a life, is a testament to the goodness of our organization and contributing donors.”
The Koinonia Foundation 2022 grant recipients are:
· ChurchNet Foundation (www.churchnetfoundation.net) provides supplemental financial assistance with utility costs including electricity, water, gas, along with prescription medications for individuals living in Wake Forest, Rolesville and Youngsville communities.
· Kerr Family YMCA (A Branch of the YMCA of the Triangle) (www.ymcatriangle.org). Grant funds will support the Y Learning Program at Wake Forest Elementary School, which partners with local schools to identify and serve students grades K – 5 who are at risk of performing below grade level in school subjects. Children participating receive a daily healthy snack, an adult role model and literacy instruction.
· Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry (www.triareaministry.com) is the largest food pantry in the Northern Wake County area and provides food and personal hygiene products to families in need living in Wake Forest, Rolesville, Youngsville and surrounding areas of Wake County.
· Wake Forest Optimist Club (facebook.com/wakeforestoptimistclub) conducts service projects in the Wake Forest community aimed at helping young people. It will purchase items to make Comfort Kits for children who have been removed from their homes and are under care by Northern Wake Regional Center Child Protective Services.
· Backpack Buddies-Wake Forest Presbyterian Church (wakeforestpres.org) supports the Backpack Buddies program at schools located in Wake Forest and surrounding communities, providing weekend meals in a backpack to 42 plus students who otherwise would go without. The organization purchases up to 2,688 items a month to help supply their food inventory.
· Hope and Vine (www.hopeandvine.org) equips women who have aged out of foster care to live with purpose and freedom by offering employment, mentoring and community connection programs that focus on life skill development, professional growth and spiritual guidance.
· Wake Forest Community Table (facebook.com/wakeforestcommunitytable) founded in 2017, is a collaboration among dozens of churches and civic organizations that provide meals every Monday and Wednesday to children, families and the elderly in need in the Wake Forest/Rolesville/Youngsville area. This summer, the program is projected to serve 2600 meals and thousands of pounds of fresh produce from local gardens.
· North East Wake Backpack Buddies (www.newbackpackbuddies.org) provides approximately 1800 bags of food to regional schools for children identified as ‘food insecure’ by teachers and school counselors. Each weekend meal pack contains six kid friendly meals and snacks.
In addition to awarding the grant recipients, the 2022 Russell Dew Community Service Award recipient was honored. Ruth Ann Dyer, a Wake Forest native and former Koinonia Board president, received the award. She was unable to attend the reception but will be presented the plaque at a later date.
Dyer is president of the Wake Forest Garden Club; a member of the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce, having received the Ambassador of the Year award; served multiple terms as chairperson for the Trentini Scholarship Foundation; and on the Wake Forest Fourth of July Committee. She is a real estate agent with Fonville Morrisey Realty.
“Ruth Ann is embedded in the roots of our community with her contributions extending throughout every corner,” said Easop. “She gives back to Wake Forest in so many ways and is so deserving of this award.”
The Koinonia Foundation fundraising is done through its annual charity auction/dinner and the Pace for Grace 5K Race. These events were virtual during 2021 and 2022.
Individual and corporate donations can be made anytime online at www.koinoniawf.org/donate
About the Koinonia Foundation of Wake Forest
The Koinonia Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that cares for neighbors in crisis. Its volunteer board of directors oversees the distribution of funds to organizations and individuals in the communities of Wake Forest, Rolesville and Youngsville. The Koinonia Foundation is an interdenominational organization that was started by a Sunday school class at Wake Forest Baptist Church. Since 1990, the organization has provided funding for food, shelter, clothing and medical assistance to meet the needs of both community organizations and individuals. Koinonia is a Greek word that translates to “communion with others by act of intimate participation.” Website: www.koinoniawf.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharingcommunityWF/ Instagram: @koinoniawakeforest