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Troy’s Community Needs Fund gets $25,000 boost
By Nancy Bowman, Contributing Writer
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
TROY — Another $25,000 has been placed in the Community Needs Fund to match dollar-for-dollar donations to nonprofit organizations providing for basic needs of Troy residents.
Adding to the fund established with an initial $50,000 this summer by The Troy Foundation couldn’t have come at a better time for Health Partners of Miami County.
It’s been a record year for medical requests as the number of uninsured and underinsured in the area grows, said Deborah Miller, executive director, Health Partners Free Clinic.
Patient volumes this October compared to October 2008 are up 35 percent and, during the same time frame, requests for prescriptions have increased 70 percent.
The clinic is serving more people because of the Community Needs Fund dollars plus money from the Stouder Fund and a Troy United Way special grant.
“It’s nice to be able to help,” Miller said.
Even more could be helped at the Thursday clinic and scheduled appointments on other days when physicians are available, if more physicians could volunteer time to see patients, she said. Anyone interested in helping is asked to call (937) 332-0894.
The foundation’s $50,000 grant matches donations by individuals, businesses and organizations to eight nonprofits. Within weeks, the entire $50,000 had been used. Health Partners got the largest amount — more than $15,000, or $30,000 with the foundation match.
“These are no ordinary times. Our community continues to face a very difficult period as more people lose their jobs and homes,” said Melissa Kleptz, Troy Foundation executive director.
“With your help, we have the potential of providing an additional $50,000 to community organizations that will be working tirelessly to meet the needs of our neighbors,” Kleptz said.
Those needs are greater than she has ever seen in her more than 20 years with the United Way, said Lucy DiSalvo, Troy United Way executive director.
Calls to the United Way have quadrupled over the same time last year as unemployment in the county has gone into double digits. So far this year, the United Way has distributed an additional $70,000 to its agencies around the community to address needs, DiSalvo said.
That money is in addition to the United Way’s annual funding to the agencies and was made possible by donations to the 2008 United Way campaign, which exceeded its goal. The 2009 drive is under way. Contributions can be made to the Troy United Way at P.O. Box 36, Troy, OH 45373.
The organizations benefiting from the Community Needs Fund, in addition to Health Partners are Partners In Hope, First Place Food Pantry, Family Abuse Shelter, St. Pat’s Soup Kitchen, St. Joseph’s House, FISH of Troy Inc., and the Miami County Dental Clinic.
Contact this reporter at nancykburr@aol.com or (937) 339-4371.
How to donate to fund
What: Community Needs Fund of The Troy Foundation
How: Donations to be matched dollar for dollar up to $1,000
When: Through Dec. 31
Where: Drop off or mail check to Community Needs Fund, The Troy Foundation, 216 W. Franklin St., Troy, OH 45373
Remember: To designate organization to benefit from donation
More information: (937) 335-8513
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