Merrimack County Savings Bank Foundation announces grants
Jan. 8—The Merrimack County Savings Bank Foundation has awarded $49,567 to 23 nonprofit organizations serving local communities. The Foundation was funded by Merrimack County Savings Bank (the Merrimack) in 1997 for grant-based contributions to nonprofits that enrich and improve the quality of life for residents living in the bank's service areas. These grants are in addition to the bank's local contributions in the form of sponsorships, donations and scholarships, as well as the exceptional volunteer efforts of their employees.
"Support of our community continues to be central to our mission," said Linda Lorden, president of the Merrimack. "The Foundation allows us to support organizations that strengthen the places where we live and work, and helps to improve the lives of our customers, employees and the local community as a whole. We are thrilled to help these organizations make our communities stronger."
This year's local foundation grant recipients include:
Catholic Charities New Hampshire, Manchester: Awarded $2,300 to help 1,000 underserved families and individuals receive emergency assistance through individualized casework services. Catholic Charities NH (CCNH) was founded in 1945 to serve the poor and vulnerable statewide, and remains committed to addressing the varied and individual needs of each person seeking assistance.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Manchester: Awarded $2,700 to recruit, train and supervise additional volunteers. The Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Hampshire (CASA) was founded to advocate for abused and neglected children within the state court system.
Family Promise of Southern, NH, Nashua: Awarded $1,500 to assist the homeless community with short-term case management, conflict mediation, funding for groceries, short-term rent subsidies and utilities. Through safe housing and education, Family Promise guides families as they break the cycle, and rise from homelessness to sustainable independence.
The Front Door Agency, Nashua: Awarded $3,100 to support homeless single mothers and their children with affordable housing, supportive services and extensive case management. The Front Door serves families transitioning from crisis to self-sufficiency, offering a wide range of assistance to Nashua's disadvantaged population including: shelter, food, heat, child care, transportation, supportive services and education.
Harbor Care, Nashua: Awarded $2,080 to operate permanent housing units for 150 homeless parents, children and veterans in Greater Nashua. Harbor Care is the shared name of Harbor Homes, Keystone Hall, Healthy at Home, the Harbor Care Health and Wellness Center, and the Southern NH HIV/AIDS Task Force. They serve low-income individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or living with mental illness and other disabilities.
Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County, Merrimack: Awarded $1,000 to support their mission of reducing hunger, food insecurity and social isolation among homebound older and disabled adults. Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County is dedicated to improving the physical, mental and social well-being of participants through nutritious meals, health education, opportunities for social interaction, among many other related services.
YMCA of Greater Nashua: Awarded $2,280 to help fund Power Scholars Academy, a six-week summer learning loss prevention program for 400 low-income youth living in Greater Nashua who are behind in literacy grade levels. The goal of the program is to teach participating children to read at their grade level by the third grade.
Merrimack County Savings Bank is a mutual savings bank that benefits local depositors, borrowers and surrounding communities instead of stockholders on Wall Street. To learn more, visit any of their local offices in Bow, Concord, Contoocook, Hooksett and Nashua, call 800-541-0006 or visit themerrimack.com.
