The John T. Gorman Foundation has awarded 71 grants totaling $1 million to provide food, shelter, and other essential services to Mainers in need through its 2021 Direct Services Grant Program.

Four of the grants were awarded to the following organizations in Lincoln County: Twin Villages Foodbank Farm, Damariscotta – $20,000; Boothbay Region Community Resource Council, Boothbay Harbor – $15,000; Veggies to Table, Newcastle – $5,000; and Skidompha Library, Damariscotta – $2,500.

The Foundation increased funding to the annual program this year to reflect the incredible level of need throughout Maine during the pandemic.

“Even before the pandemic, too many Mainers were experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, and lack of access to many other essentials. Over the last year, the pandemic has only made the situation much worse – increasing unmet needs in Maine communities and straining the organizations that are working valiantly to address them,” said Lauralee Raymond, program associate at the John T. Gorman Foundation. “We are privileged to be able to support the efforts of these community organizations to help Mainers get through this extremely difficult time.”

The Foundation’s annual Direct Services Grant Program supports organizations that are addressing the basic needs of vulnerable Mainers. The largest numbers of grants this year went to organizations offering food assistance, addressing homelessness, and providing other supports to low-income families and individuals, such as clothing, household items, and heating and electrical assistance. Other areas of giving included support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, community transportation, immigrant services, and health care access.

For more information about the John T. Gorman Foundation, visit www.jtgfoundation.org