Page 10 - DDAR Foundation 2020 Report

Complete list of recipients Funds Awarded COVID-19 Relief Fund FUNDING PURPOSE CATEGORIES Assistance to Seniors Emergency Dental Care Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Homelessness Resources Solutions to Food Insecurity Staff Salary Support Organizations Lives Impacted Samaritan Community Center Provides Hope to Families in Need The Samaritan Community Center in Northwest Arkansas is focused on encouraging those it serves to find hope and positive life change. One way it achieves this: combating food insecurity. Prior to COVID-19, the center operated a food pantry; community lunch program; weekend backpack feeding initiative; and organic garden. To protect the health and safety of its clients, staff and volunteers, it has since shifted to minimal-contact drive-thru and drop-off options. From March-August 2020, it provided nearly 60,000 lunches, 54,000 kid-friendly snack packs and groceries for close to 50,000 individuals. Each food program saw sizeable jumps in participation, with the center reporting a 343 percent year-over-year increase in new families reached. With support from the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation and other funders, the Samaritan Community Center continues to distribute county-specific community resource lists to low-income, at-risk clients to help them weather COVID-19-related financial hardships. 2020 Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Community Benefits Report COVID-19 RELIEF FUND