At the Dublin Community Foundation, our mission is to support local non-profit organizations by raising, investing, and dispersing funds for the enrichment of the entire Dublin community. We take immense pride in seeing the organizations that we support go on to meet the growing needs of our community. These are challenging and uncertain times, but Dublin nonprofit organizations, nearly all of whom the Foundation has supported at one time or another, are rising to the occasion.
We take a look at just a few of the organizations who are making a difference every day in our community, and sharing how you can help, as well. After all, Dublin has heart.
The Dublin Food Pantry is committed to connect those in need within our community with food and personal care items without judgement. While they have been forced to make operational changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of the recipients and volunteers, their commitment remains steadfast.
In order to ensure that they have plenty of supplies for the growing number of people in need, the food pantry is working with area businesses and organizations to make the best of what is obviously a challenging time.
Along with Welcome Warehouse and Dublin Bridges, the Dublin Food Pantry will be the beneficiary of the Trucks + Trunk: Eat Well, Do Good event being held at the Spa at River Ridge on July 26, 5:00 – 8:00 PM. Attendees can order food from a variety of Food TRUCKS and at pick up, student volunteers will cheerfully accept cash/item donations for each of the participating organizations …in TRUNKS. Safely distanced FUN outdoors, prize drawings and more.
The Food Pantry also has been designated the nonprofit beneficiary of the Virtual IGS Energy/Dublin Irish Festival 5K and Kids Dash.
Welcome Warehouse provides support to Dublin City and School District residents who are struggling to meet basic needs because of job loss, underemployment, health crises, or other challenges. By working with Dublin City Schools, local churches and social service organizations that refer families for assistance, Welcome Warehouse is able to connect families to resources they need to thrive.
While much uncertainty remains about what the school year will look like during the pandemic, Welcome Warehouse is forging ahead with their annual Jean Griffith Back-to-School Outreach program. Providing backpacks and school supplies to kids in need, this year the Outreach program is hosting a special Drive-Thru event for families to pick up backpacks and school supplies from the safety of their car.
With a mission to create a Gateway to Kindness, Dublin Bridges uses technology and social media to advocate for children and families in need and then engage the community via a “campaign for kindness” to fill those needs. A few notable facts: 100% of what is raised in our community remains in our community, and the nationwide Neighborhood Bridges network has successfully achieved this goal every day since it launched on Martin Luther King Day, 2017.
While common requests include assistance with utility bills, home repair, and needed items, the Bridges program has gotten creative during the pandemic, donating everything from mobile hot spots to assist with remote learning, to Grab & Go Meals, to art supplies in cooperation with with the Dublin Arts Council to give kids the gift of creativity at a time when many are bored and lonely.
Speaking of the Dublin Arts Council, they recently launched their Curbside Concert series that brings music to those in need of love and connection. As Ohio is reopening and many begin venturing out, many elderly and vulnerable community members still have to isolate –– and our businesses need our support more than ever. Dublin Arts Council, City of Dublin, Dublin Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Dublin Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to bring Curbside Concerts to the community, throughout the summer.
In order to continue the good words happening throughout our community, we hope that you will consider joining us in supporting the Dublin giving community.