Foundations and entities who contributed recently to Maui County community nonprofits and others are as follows:
* The Maui Farm, Inc. was recently awarded a $5,000 grant by the Alexander & Baldwin Foundation in support of the nonprofit organization's general operating needs.
"The Maui Farm is working diligently to sustain our residential programs and farm-based educational programs, given the increased needs in our community and the challenges brought on by the economic recession," said The Maui Farm Executive Director Paula Ambre. "We are honored that the A&B Foundation continues its investment in The Maui Farm."
Article Photos
Children and volunteers from The Maui Farm’s Family Strengthening Program participate in the farm-based activities program.
Photo courtesy The Maui Farm
The Maui Farm provides programs that teach life skills for self-sufficient living. The Maui Farm's residential programs include the Family Strengthening Program, serving families who are homeless due to domestic violence and economic challenges; and the Independent Living Program, serving young women in transition to self-sufficiency. The Maui Farm also offers farm-based educational programs for the community.
"This grant award speaks to our interest in sustaining The Maui Farm's residential and farm-based education programs," said A&B Foundation President Meredith J. Ching. "A&B's support for The Maui Farm dates back to 1994, and it is a pleasure to be among their supporters once again."
For more information about The Maui Farm or to make a tax-deductible charitable donation, call 579-8271 or visit www.themauifarm.org.
* Whole Kids Foundation, a nonprofit created by Whole Foods Market, has awarded Kihei Elementary School and Kihei Charter School each $2,000 grants to support community and school gardens.
In addition to providing funds, each school will receive a copy of "How to Grow a School Garden" by Arden Bucklin-Sporer and Rachel Pringle, a digital garden kit, seed packages from High Mowing Organics, discounts for gardening supplies and ongoing opportunities for mentoring and support from FoodCorps, which will help recipients build and sustain their gardens to ensure longterm success.
"We are so excited to give Maui keiki this hands-on education and opportunities to help them to understand the benefits of eating in a healthy way," said Elyse Ditzel, Whole Foods Market Kahului marketing supervisor. "We encourage our shoppers to find new and innovative ways to establish healthier eating habits. These grants extend those efforts to our keiki in a way that will hopefully stay with them for many years to come."
* Heritage Hall, a nonprofit organization created to house cultural resource centers for Maui's Portuguese and Puerto Rican communities, received a $15,000 grant from A&B Foundation.
Members of the Maui Puerto Rican Association and the Portuguese Association of Maui gathered to receive the foundation's check and unveil the Heritage Hall sign in Paia on June 30. A potluck luncheon followed the check presentation.
For more information about Heritage Hall, call Audrey Rocha Reed at 243-0065 or 871-7052.
* The Bendon Family Foundation has donated $1,000 to the Pa'ia Youth & Cultural Center to support its summer programs, which includes outings to various forests, waterfalls, surf spots and more. For more information, visit www.pyccmaui.org.
