The Camden Rotary Club has selected six local nonprofit organizations to receive a total of $23,000 in grants for community services in Knox County and Lincolnville.

New Hope For Women will receive $10,000 to continue providing emergency shelter and food for victims of domestic violence. The need for emergency housing has soared during the pandemic, and demand remains high.

Coastal Opportunities’ $5,000 grant will fund the purchase of five computer systems with remote audio and visual capabilities. The systems are part of a technology project designed to counteract social isolation and the lack of face-to-face contact during the pandemic. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be able to connect more freely with friends, family members and colleagues. Isolation during the pandemic has made face-to-face contact more difficult for the residents.

Another $5,000 will support Cooking for Community’s Hunger and Economic Relief Project. This collaboration among four local restaurants and five local social service agencies will provide 7800 healthy meals to individuals and families in need. It also will boost local employment by adding 2080 working hours for restaurant employees. This initiative addresses rising levels of homelessness, unemployment, and hunger resulting from the COVID-19 crisis.

The Club also announced three $1,000 small grants:

• St. George Community Development Corporation’s Community Cupboard will use its grant to provide gluten-free and dairy-free foods for clients with special dietary needs. The recipients, who have been financially impacted by the pandemic, cannot afford the high costs of these products.
• Another small grant will cover tuition costs for five middle school students participating in the Mid-coast Outdoor Leadership Initiative of Sundog Outdoor Expeditions. The leadership program provides character education based on the core values of resiliency, integrity, confidence, and craftsmanship through wilderness experiences.
• Bay Chamber Music School will use these funds to help finance a virtual performance program involving more than 100 students and faculty.

Since 2011, the Camden Rotary Club has invested $251,000 in the community via its yearly grants to nonprofit organizations in Knox County and Lincolnville. Outside of this regular grants cycle, the Camden Rotary Club deployed an emergency task force in 2020 that provided funds for local nonprofit organizations most directly impacted by the global health crisis.

The Camden Rotary Club helps the community through fundraising and service projects. Members of the public are invited to participate in the Club’s weekly meetings via Zoom at noon on Tuesdays. For more details, including information about how to visit meetings, please visit www.camdenrotary.org.