After awarding more than 160 scholarships worth $847,000 in student financial assistance last year, the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana (CFSI) is excited to announce the re-opening its scholarship program for the 2024-25 school year.
Beginning Monday, August 12, students throughout Clark, Floyd, and surrounding counties can begin applying for scholarships offered through the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana.
While many of these awards are available through local high schools and colleges, students may apply for specific scholarships directly through CFSI’s website – www.CFSouthernIndiana.com/scholarships – starting on Monday, August 12. The application portal will remain open until Monday, September 16.
“Scholarships established by our generous donors provide life-changing opportunities for students in Clark, Floyd, and surrounding counties each year,” said Linda Speed, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana. “Our community has always believed in giving back, and we are thankful for those individuals, families, and businesses who have established scholarships that allow students to continue their education and pursue their future aspirations.”
The organization provides the structure and administrative oversight that allows people from across our community to establish scholarship funds that support their favorite college or university, as well as identify students who meet their own, unique criteria. Currently, the Foundation oversees 90 scholarships for students in Southern Indiana.
For questions about the CFSI scholarship program, please visit www.CFSouthernIndiana.com/scholarships – or contact Crystal Melcher, Vice President of Community Philanthropy, at (812) 948-4662 or
The Washington County Economic Growth Partnership announced this week that the unemployment rate in the county is 4.1%, as of June.
For additional information, visit https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/INWSURN#
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced today that Indiana food banks will receive a combined total of $2 million to support their efforts in feeding Hoosiers in need.
“Food insecure Hoosiers are some of our most vulnerable and I appreciate the general assembly’s support of these individuals and families,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “This funding will go a long way in supporting 11 food banks that provide the necessary nutrition to food pantries and soup kitchens across our state.”
According to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry (FIH), more than 950,000 Hoosiers, including 1 in 5 children, experienced food insecurity in 2022, the most recent data available. This new data represents a 30% increase in food insecurity over 2021.
“As we have said for nearly four years, our member food banks continue to serve record numbers of Hoosier families. Too many of our neighbors continue to face difficult choices between paying bills and buying groceries. For any Hoosier to be unsure from where their next meal will come is unacceptable,” said Emily Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. “We’re grateful for the support of the Indiana General Assembly, Lt. Gov. Crouch and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture for providing additional and much needed support to our members to help them serve our Hoosier neighbors and our communities.”
Indiana food pantries and soup kitchens are a subsect of food banks. There are 11 food banks which supply pantries and soup kitchens across the state. Each food bank received part of the $2 million in funding, which supplies community food pantries, kitchens, churches and more. This funding will allow food pantries, soup kitchens and other food distribution centers to receive additional food products from the food bank that serves their location.
ISDA Director Don Lamb is proud to help assist our food banks and pantries that feed Hoosiers.
“Indiana farmers are skilled at growing an abundance of safe, reliable food and food banks and pantries have the necessary resources and skills to distribute large amounts of food to help community members in need,” said Lamb. “We are so thankful for the work food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and others do for their communities in helping food insecure Hoosiers.”
The funding was provided by the Indiana General Assembly, as part of its biennial budget. The distribution amounts were determined using The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TFAP) fair share percentages for Indiana, which captures poverty and unemployment levels in each county.
Carmen Cumberland, Executive Director and CEO of Community Harvest Food Bank in Fort Wayne, is excited to be able to support more families.
“Community Harvest Food Bank is humbled and thrilled to receive this bountiful grant of $197,800 from the General Assembly and Indiana State Department of Agriculture. This funding comes when our friends and neighbors struggle to afford rent, car payments and basic needs. Inflation’s impact on daily living has left some families choosing between keeping their car or their house, let alone, figuring out how to get food on their tables. These are people with jobs, families, support networks, and resources who the cost of living has simply outpaced," said Cumberland. "Last week, our Saturday Helping Hands distribution reached a record high of 1,622 families seeking food assistance. Food insecurity is not going anywhere soon, and that’s why these funds are greatly significant in lifting those we love and care about in our community.”
The following list includes the food banks are receiving funding for fiscal year 2025:
- Community Harvest Food Bank – $197,800
- Dare to Care Food Bank – $75,200
- Food Bank of Northern Indiana – $233,600
- Food Bank of Northwest Indiana – $198,800
- Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. – $195,800
- FreeStore Foodbank– $16,000
- Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc. – $693,200
- Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Inc. – $80,000
- Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central IN, Inc. – $155,200
- Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank, Inc. – $89,200
- Tri-State Food Bank, Inc. – $119,200
Visit isda.in.gov to learn more about the Indiana State Department of Agriculture Department. Visit feedingindianashungry.org to learn more about Feeding Indiana’s Hungry.
By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer
Over $41,500 was raised locally for the Children’s Miracle Network. Walmart in Salem raised over $40,000, and the Salem Fire Department raised $1500.
Children’s Miracle Network raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals that support the health of 12 million kids each year.
All monies raised at the local Walmart go to the closest hospitals in the area. Riley Children’s Hospital at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis is the closest hospital. It has been in business since 1924, has 456 beds and is a Level One Pediatric Trauma center. Riley Hospital has many programs and specialty units for children and provides services for 300,000 patients per year.
Walmart and Sam’s Club conducted a fund raiser June 10 to July7 for the Children’s Miracle Network. Their annual event is called the “Spark Good and Change Kid’s Health Campaign.”
According to spokesperson Mindy Garland, it’s a year-round process at the Salem Walmart. Shoppers can round-up their purchases in change as a donation. She credits manager Alisha Gay with helping to raise these funds. Walmart sells snow cones, popcorn and goodie bags. In the future, they will be selling cookbooks with recipes provided by local residents.
Walmart corporate has contributed over one billion dollars since 1987 to charities. There was also a side x side rally earlier in the year featuring street-legal all-terrain utility vehicles that meet safety requirements and obtain the required state and local licenses.
Walmart also sells Marion Kay Spices as a fund-raiser. Marion Kay Spices is located in Brownstown and has been in business 101 years. Donations from sales can range from 35% to 50%.
Another funding raising item is Sudz liquid detergent in a five-gallon bucket.
We thank our local Walmart and fire department for their efforts.
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