Local notes

"Harbinger of Spring," a photograph of dogwood blooms taken last spring by Linda Scogin, will be among the featured works at the April art show at White Lotus in Fayetteville. The selection is part of a series of dogwood photos that will be on display. The White Lotus April art show also offers art by Catherine Brimberry, Nancy Sanders, Jammie Hayes, Red Starr, Ed Laningham, Karl Killian and Ruthie Graen. The show includes paintings, photography, mixed media, jewelry and pottery. For hours and information, email lotuswhite@sbcglobal.net. (Courtesy Photo/Linda Scogin)
"Harbinger of Spring," a photograph of dogwood blooms taken last spring by Linda Scogin, will be among the featured works at the April art show at White Lotus in Fayetteville. The selection is part of a series of dogwood photos that will be on display. The White Lotus April art show also offers art by Catherine Brimberry, Nancy Sanders, Jammie Hayes, Red Starr, Ed Laningham, Karl Killian and Ruthie Graen. The show includes paintings, photography, mixed media, jewelry and pottery. For hours and information, email lotuswhite@sbcglobal.net. (Courtesy Photo/Linda Scogin)

Blood Center

needs donors

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the sole supplier of blood and plasma to patients at more than 40 area hospitals, is urging healthy individuals to continue to donate blood at an upcoming CBCO donor center or blood drive in the region. They are calling on donors and community partners to help keep adequate blood reserves available by maintaining a regular schedule of giving.

Current blood reserves are at a three-day inventory level. But canceled mobile blood drives now through the end of April are now approaching 75, affecting over 3,000 potential donations. The U.S. Surgeon General has declared that blood donation is safe, and Americans, if they're feeling well and healthy, need to continue to give blood.

With the cancellation of many mobile blood drives, CBCO is urging donors to give at a CBCO Donor Center in Bentonville, Springdale, Joplin, Mo., or Springfield, Mo.

It is especially important to note that Community Blood Center of the Ozarks blood donors are the sole providers of blood to patients at more than 40 area hospitals.

"With the number of drives that have been canceled over the next few weeks, we are facing the real possibility of a blood shortage in the very near future," said Chris Pilgrim, CBCO spokesman. "Giving blood for local use is vitally important any time, but especially in the wake of this covid-19 crisis."

Information: cbco.org.

AEP grant

awarded

The American Electric Power Foundation has announced a $50,000 grant to the Office of Human Concern in Rogers.

The grant will support the organization's Meals on Wheels food costs.

The AEP Foundation is funded by American Electric Power and its utility operating units, including Southwestern Electric Power Co., which serves approximately 119,000 customers in Arkansas.

"The grant for food costs will allow the Office of Human Concern to provide meals to homebound seniors who are currently on a waiting list," said Susan Moore, chief executive officer. "As an agency, we do not like to place seniors on a waiting list because many are nearing the end of life or seeking help with meals in order to stay in their home and avoid institutional care. For them, time is of the essence. The agency served a quarter million meals to seniors last year."

"We are pleased to present this grant to the Office of Human Concern on behalf of the American Electric Power Foundation," Jeff Milford, SWEPCO external affairs manager in Fayetteville, said. "This organization is doing wonderful work addressing hunger through their outreach to homebound seniors. We're proud to support this organization serving Northwest Arkansas."

Information: ohcnwa.org.

Covid-19

relief fund

Arkansas Community Foundation announces the creation of the Covid-19 Relief Fund. The fund will be used to direct resources to Arkansas nonprofits that are working to serve the state's most vulnerable populations and those disproportionately affected by the coronavirus and its economic fallout.

The Community Foundation will work locally though its network of 28 affiliate offices around the state serving all 75 counties. The fund will support community needs identified by our nonprofit partners in human services, food, health, housing and education. Grants will be made to nonprofit agencies that meet both immediate and long-term needs related to the impact of the virus in Arkansas.

"This is why we exist--to help communities. This fund is an efficient way to get quick relief funds to local nonprofits serving the people most affected by the pandemic. During these uncertain times, it's more important than ever that we come together to respond to the needs of our state." said Heather Larkin, President and CEO of Arkansas Community Foundation.

As the situation continues to evolve, prioritization of needs will likely change. Some potential needs have been identified for the more vulnerable populations:

• Healthcare nonprofits that may need additional funding to provide safety equipment for their employees and volunteers

• Organizations providing emergency childcare

• Food pantries and groups providing mobile meal delivery for children, the elderly and other vulnerable populations

• School systems attempting to meet the needs of their students remotely

• Human service agencies providing assistance with rent, utilities and other basic expenses for individuals who have lost a source of income

To make donations go online at arcf.org/covid19, by mailing a check to Arkansas Community Foundation, 5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110, Little Rock, AR 72202 or by contacting the Community Foundation directly at 888-220-2723.

The foundation is also accepting proposals for $1,000 mini-grants to nonprofits assisting in covid-19 relief.

These grants will help organizations maintain their operations and respond to increased demand from clients during this first phase of pandemic relief. Nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status, churches, hospitals, schools or government entities based anywhere in Arkansas are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to organizations that:

• Provide human services and emergency assistance (for example, food, shelter, transportation, living expenses, rent/utility assistance, etc.)

• Primarily serve vulnerable populations, including children who are out of school and families without childcare, people who have lost a source of income due to the pandemic, people who are at high risk medically, people who are homeless or incarcerated and individuals who lack paid sick leave or health insurance.

• Disseminate factual safety and response information to vulnerable communities such as non-English speaking residents, rural residents, senior citizens, etc.

Organizations may use funding to:

• Support clients' basic needs

• Cover costs associated with decreased staffing or remote-working due to quarantine/social distancing

• Provide mental health programming for clients or staff

• Coordinate/facilitate in-kind donations to sites and organizations that provide human services and serve vulnerable populations.

This is not an exhaustive list, and other needs will be considered.

Businesses and individuals are not eligible to apply; however, the Community Foundation will consider grants to nonprofit organizations that provide direct financial assistance to individuals.

Visit arcf.org/COVID19 to apply online.

United Way

creates fund

United Way of Northwest Arkansas will implement a covid-19 response fund to support local community members impacted by the novel coronavirus beginning in early April.

UWNWA is committed to helping the community during these trying times and believes that with this fund, the organization can identify the biggest areas of need, directly address them and impact those most vulnerable. Flexible resources will be provided for immediate, emerging, and long-term needs to organizations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of the outbreak. The fund is designed to complement the work of government and public health officials to address all aspects of the outbreak in Northwest Arkansas.

The first phase of proactive and responsive grants will fund nonprofits to assist with the immediate needs of economically vulnerable populations impacted by covid-19 in the areas of health, education and financial stability.

"Together, we will overcome this pandemic by making sure the most vulnerable among us are protected," said United Way CEO Jackie Hancock. Our goal is to help families and people in need access critical information and services like food, shelter, and more. One hundred percent of the donations will provide relief to those left vulnerable by the pandemic."

United Way of Northwest Arkansas will administer the fund and an advisory committee of local funders and community institutions working directly with impacted populations will oversee the application process. An application for organizations to request funds will be available through a link at unitedwaynwa.org /COVID19donate by April 3. Additional phases of future funding will be developed by evaluating the funds available, community needs, and government response.

Donation to the fund can be made by individuals, companies or organizations online at unitedwaynwa.org /COVID19donate or Text COVID19NWA to 71777 or contact Christina Hinds, Vice President Resource Development to make a donation to support the covid-19 Response Fund for NWA at chinds@unitedwaynwa.org.

Miss Arkansas

date postponed

The Habitat for Humanity of Benton County's Miss Arkansas community event originally scheduled for April 4 has been postponed due to covid-19 concerns.

Information: (479) 335-5970.

NAN Profiles on 03/29/2020

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