Twenty-one nonprofits serving Clearwater and Pinellas County received a combined $20,500 in grants from the North Pinellas Woman's Club on Thursday, Aug. 6, with the money going toward everything from prescription eyeglasses for homeless residents to bedding for a domestic violence shelter.
The grants, split into two tiers, were funded entirely by the club's annual Christmas Under the Oaks arts and crafts festival at St. Petersburg College's Clearwater campus, according to Tampa Bay Beacons.
Seven organizations received $2,000 community grants. Among the Clearwater-based recipients: Hope Villages of America will use its award to buy bedding for its domestic violence emergency shelter, where the organization fields roughly 3,800 abuse calls per year and feeds approximately 150,000 individuals annually. The Homeless Emergency Project in Clearwater will put its $2,000 toward prescription eyeglasses for residents.
Angels Against Abuse received $2,000 for supplies for children immediately removed from abusive homes in Pinellas County. Community Dental Clinic got $2,000 for supplies serving low-income, uninsured patients. End 68 Hours of Hunger will use its grant for weekend food at Pinellas County school pantries, Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas for citizenship classes and Sounding Joy for hearing aids for children in uninsured families.
Fourteen organizations received $500 member grants. The Clearwater Historical Society will use its $500 for tables and chairs at the Plumb House, the circa-1896 museum at 1380 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. that houses the city's collection of historic artifacts and photographs.
Other $500 recipients include Foster to Foster (grocery and gas cards for foster families), PACE Center for Girls (supplies for a dropout prevention program), Sailability (boat repairs for programs serving people with disabilities and veterans) and Suncoast Voices for Children (toddler clothing for children entering foster care).
The full list also includes A Mother's Arms, Dunedin Public Theater, Harbor Dish, Pack A Sack, Quilter's Crossing, Selah Freedom, Stop the Movement and The Magic Yarn Project.
The North Pinellas Woman's Club, a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, raises the grant money through Christmas Under the Oaks, which returns Sunday, Nov. 8 for its 50th year. The holiday market and craft show features more than 150 local artisans at SPC's Clearwater campus. No pets are allowed per campus rules; certified service dogs only.
Upcoming community calendar:
- Sunday, Nov. 8 — 50th Annual Christmas Under the Oaks, St. Petersburg College Clearwater campus. Holiday market and craft show with 150-plus artisans; proceeds fund next year's community grants.
