Somerset County commissioners have announced $490,000 in reimbursement funding for area nonprofits navigating the hardships of the coronavirus pandemic—including loss of regular fundraising dollars and increased demand for services.

To deploy funding as swiftly as possible, the reimbursement grants program, available through PA DCED’s COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant, was administered through the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (CFA) as the Somerset County COVID-19 Nonprofit Assistance Grant Program.

Grantees include nonprofits that provide life-saving services, help feed individuals and families, nurture the arts, and more. The largest grant, $50,500, went to local food pantries. The Children’s Aid Home Programs of Somerset County, Inc., which serves local children and families, and the Next Step Center, Inc., which provides emergency shelter to individuals in need, both received $50,000.

“Throughout the pandemic, our local nonprofits have been tirelessly responding to the needs of our communities, whether it’s feeding the hungry or caring for vulnerable populations,” Somerset County Board of Commissioners Chairman Gerald Walker said. “We hope these grants will help the organizations who have been impacted by this crisis and support them in the important role they play for those who live in Somerset County.”

Grants through the Somerset County COVID-19 Nonprofit Assistance Grant Program:
Arcadia Performing Arts: $10,000
Berlin Area Ambulance Association: $32,179.87
Boswell Volunteer Fire Department: $32,179.88
Camp Allegheny: $10,000
Camp Cadet of Somerset County: $3,784.86
Children’s Aid Home: $50,000
Conemaugh Twp. Emergency Medical Services: $32,179.87
Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial: $10,000
Highlands Health Free Medical Clinic: $10,000
Johnstown Christian School: $10,000
Laurel Arts: $10,000
Laurel Trinity Preschool: $10,000
Mary S. Biesecker Public Library: $10,000
Meyersdale Area Historical Society: $10,000
Mountain Playhouse: $10,000
Next Step Center: $50,000
Pennsylvania Maple Festival: $9,767.47
Sequanota Conference Center and Camp: $10,000
Somerset Aero Club: $8,065.90
Somerset County food pantries: $50,500
Somerset County Foundation for Higher Education: $10,000
Somerset County Federated Library System: $10,000
Somerset County Foundation: $10,000
Somerset, Inc.: $10,000
Stoystown Volunteer Fire Company: $9,859.95
The Learning Lamp: $10,000
Trinity Lutheran Child Care & Learning Center: $10,000
Veteran Community Initiatives: $3,202.77
Windber Public Library Association: $10,000
YWCA Greater Johnstown: $10,000
Somerset County Mobile Food Bank: $18,279.43

Total awarded: $490,000

You can also read the official press by CLICKING HERE.