More than $74,000 in Heart of Cook grants to 36 organizations have been announced by the Berrien Community Foundation. The BCF’s Susan Matheny tells us the 2023 Heart of Cook grants will support a wide range of programs with everything from food pantries to prom for senior citizens to getting new gear for first responders.
“Everything from basic needs projects to public safety projects, things for fire and police to make sure they’re as equipped as they need to be, to the Berrien County Youth Fair, arts projects, the Boy Scouts,” Matheny said. “If it makes the community a better place, if it helps people live better lives in Berrien County, there’s a good chance they’re going to at least want to hear about it.”
Matheny says the grant program is the charitable arm of the Cook plant, and a team of employees determines which applicants are approved. Since its creation, the Heart of Cook has given out more than $1 million in grants around Berrien County.
This year’s recipients:
Advancing Christ’s Kingdom Ministries – Michigan City
Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety
Berrien Community Foundation
Berrien County Conservation District
Berrien County Youth Fair Association
Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Boy Scout Troop 603
Buchanan Township Fire Department
Children’s Music Workshop
Coloma Youth Baseball Softball Association
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Michigan
Fairplain Presbyterian Church
Feeding America West Michigan
First Congregational Church UCC
Friends of the Lincoln Township Public Library
Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana
Green Bridge Growers
LOGAN Community Resources
Lory’s Place of Caring Circle
Neighbor By Neighbor
New Heights CCDA
Niles Salvation Army
Paws of Hope
Praise Fellowship SDA Women’s Ministry
Present Pillars
Senior Nutrition Services Region IV/Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan
Sodus Township Fire Department
Southshore Concert Band
St. Margaret’s House
St. Joseph Charter Township Fire Department Fire Station #2
St. Joseph High School Key Club
St. Joseph Parish Conference Society of St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph County, Indiana
Summit Financial Wellness
Watervliet Public Schools Foundation for Excellence
Youth Development Company/PAL
