The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys (CFFK) recently granted $20,000 to give assistance to elementary and middle school students in need throughout the Keys whose families continue to be economically affected by COVID-19.
The grants were awarded to eight Keys schools and will supply essential items, supplies and holiday gifts for young students at risk.
The appropriations to the schools are from CFFK’s Florida Keys Emergency Relief Fund. The grants are part of $1.3 million in ongoing support provided by CFFK and its donors this year to Keys nonprofits for food, supplies, housing assistance and other programs and services for families, children, seniors, service workers and others.
“In these times of such significant needs that we see everyday throughout our schools, the Monroe County School District is very happy to accept these generous grants from the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys,” said Theresa Axford, Superintendent of Monroe County Schools. “They will make the holidays brighter for our students and families who most need support in all of our Elementary and K-8 schools.”
The eight schools receiving $2,500 each through these holiday grants are:
- Gerald Adams Elementary School, Stock Island
- Horace O’Bryant School, Key West
- Key Largo School, Upper Keys
- Plantation Key School, Upper Keys
- Poinciana Elementary School, Key West
- Stanley Switlik Elementary School, Middle Keys
- Sugarloaf School, Lower Keys
- The Basilica School of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Key West
“The Community Foundation is pleased we are able to continue to help our Keys residents in most need, especially some of our most vulnerable, including children,” said Jennifer McComb, president and CEO of CFFK. “We are continuing to provide aid for some of the greatest unmet needs in our community, and thanks to generous donors, we are doing what we can to help.”
Donations to the Florida Keys Emergency Relief Fund at CFFK are still needed to meet the ongoing demand for assistance. Contributions can be made at cffk.org/help or by calling 305-292-1502. CFFK is distributing 100 percent of funds raised and will make grants to nonprofits from the fund as long as donations are received.
More information is available at cffk.org.
Your Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, In Paradise for Good, will celebrate its 25th year in 2021. Since 1996, the Community Foundation has been helping individuals and families leave a legacy in the Keys by inspiring giving and by investing in people and solutions to benefit every resident from Key Largo to Key West. Over $30 million in grants have been made to student scholarships, arts and culture, beautification and preservation of the Keys, health and human services, hurricane relief, and youth programs. The Community Foundation is known for its signature “Unsung Heroes” event which honors nonprofit volunteers. For more information, call (305) 292-1502 or visit cffk.org.
