Koinonia gives $22,000 to eight local nonprofits

On June 9 the Koinonia Foundation of Wake Forest presented $22,000 in grants to eight local nonprofits during an award ceremony by video conferencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The money will help the eight local charitable organizations provide financial support and address human needs in the greater Wake Forest area.

“Now more than ever, during the pandemic, our local nonprofits are serving our neighbors in need,” said Jennifer Gaston, Koinonia Foundation grants coordinator and board member. “The Koinonia Foundation is honored to provide some of the funding they require to make our communities a better place during these challenging times.”

Since 1990, The Koinonia Foundation has continued to grow and provide financial support to other nonprofit organizations. Originally, the group only provided funding to nonprofits in Wake Forest, but the organization has now expanded its coverage area to neighboring towns of Rolesville and Youngsville.

Here are The Koinonia Foundation 2020 grant recipients:

• Called to Peace Ministries(calledtopeace.org) is a non-denominational nonprofit dedicated to offering hope and healing to victims of domestic violence, emotionally destructive relationships and sexual assault.
• ChurchNet Foundation (churchnetfoundation.net) provides emergency financial assistance to people with overdue utility bills and those in need of prescription medication.
• Meals on Wheels Wake County(wakemow.org) serves hot meals to homebound individuals, disabled senior adults and persons with disabilities living in Wake County.
• North East Wake Back Pack Buddies(newbackpackbuddies.org) provides bags of food to hungry children in local schools.
• Safe Space (ncsafespace.org) is a shelter in Louisburg dedicated to reducing relationship violence in Franklin County and nearby communities.
• Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry (triareaministry.com) provides food to eligible people living in Wake Forest, Rolesville, Youngsville and surrounding areas of Wake County.
• Wake Forest Optimist Club (facebook.com/wakeforestoptimistclub) conducts service projects in the Wake Forest community aimed at helping young people. They will purchase items to make Comfort Kits for children who have been removed from their homes and are under care by Northern Wake Regional Center Child Protective Services.
• Wake Forest Presbyterian Church (wakeforestpres.org) supports the Back Pack Buddies program at schools located in the Wakefield community.

Each year in March, The Koinonia Foundation of Wake Forest holds a charity auction and dinner benefitting local nonprofits. The annual Koinonia Cares Charity Auction consists of a dinner and silent and live auction of unique items and valuable services donated by local businesses, artists and individuals. Funds raised during the event enable The Koinonia Foundation to continue supporting local nonprofits and fulfilling personal benevolence requests.

For more information on The Koinonia Foundation of Wake Forest, visit www.koinoniawf.org.

About the Koinonia Foundation of Wake Forest

The Koinonia Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that cares for neighbors in crisis. Its volunteer board of directors oversees the distribution of funds to organizations and individuals in the communities of Wake Forest, Rolesville and Youngsville. The Koinonia Foundation is an interdenominational organization that was started by a Sunday school class at Wake Forest Baptist Church. Since 1990, the organization has provided funding for food, shelter, clothing and medical assistance to meet the needs of both community organizations and individuals. Koinonia is a Greek word that translates to “communion with others by act of intimate participation.” Website: www.koinoniawf.org

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