Dozens of Newport County social service providers and charities stand to benefit from a shared $30,000 grant awarded from the Rhode Island Foundation, according to a statement released Tuesday.

The beneficiaries belong to the Newport Partnership for Families, an area coalition.

"This grant, particularly at this time of year, goes a long way," said Heather Amaral, executive director of Rhode Island Meal on Wheels, at a press conference held Tuesday morning where her organization was among 12 groups to receive a supplemental year-end grant to help provide emergency assistance to families and individuals who are struggling with basic needs such as food, warm and stable housing, and health care.

In Newport County, the following organizations belong to the Newport Partnership for Families that has received the $30,000 award:

The Potter League for Animals, the Women's Resource Center, Child & Family Services, Newport County Big Sister Association of RI, Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, Boys Town of New England, Church Community Housing Corp., City of Newport, Codac III, local community policing divisions, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Festival Field Apts, Florence M. Gray Multi-Purpose Center, Girl Scouts of RI, Literacy Volunteers/Newport County, Newport County Community Mental Health Center, Newport County Council for Community Services, Newport Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force, Newport Hospital, Newport Public Library, Newport Recreation Department, Newport School Dept, New Visions for Newport County, Residents Council Bldg of Hope, RI Children's Crusade for Higher Education, RIPIN, The Salvation Army Newport Corps, Salve Regina, Stopover Services of Newport Cty, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Sullivan School Family Center, URI Co-op Extension: Children, Volunteers in Newport Education, Youth & Families, and 4H Visiting Nurses Health Services.

The Rhode Island Foundation is awarding these grants to non-profits located throughout the state in response to the continued need for basic services. Combined, these organizations, which include five coalitions representing at least a dozen regional service providers that have formed strategic partnerships, could reach more than 100,000 Rhode Islanders.

"When you are delivering almost 2,000 meals a day to elderly residents, one can quickly see how the recent spike in the price of gas drives up costs instantly. We are grateful for this grant and appreciate the Foundation's recognition of programs like ours that are dedicated to helping our most vulnerable citizens maintain their independence and dignity," said Amaral.

The emergency grant monies come on the heels of a $100,000 emergency grant awarded to Crossroads Rhode Island in October to bolster the agency's ongoing efforts to meet the unprecedented need for emergency shelter and services for the homeless, the Rhode Island Foundation's prepared statement noted.

Neil Steinberg, president and CEO of the Foundation, noted that while this program is a departure from its standard grantmaking programs that focus on long-term solutions, the need in communities is still acute and providing some additional support is simply the right thing to do again this year.

He stated, "We hope these grants inspire people to dig deep and give more. We are proud of the critical work these organizations and coalitions are doing in our communities and grateful that our generous donors make it possible for the Foundation to provide some additional support during this season of sharing." 

Steinberg applauded the five coalitions for their "forward-thinking and creative approach to reaching more people in need."

Other organizations awarded year-end grants throughout Rhode Island were: Rhode Island Meals on Wheels, which recieved $30,000; Amos House, $30,000; International Institute of Rhode Island, $10,000; Rhode Island Donation Exchange Program, $30,000; Rhode Island Community Food Bank, $50,000; Salvation Army (Good Neighbor Energy Fund), $30,000; We Share Hope, $10,000; Basic Needs Network, $30,000; Bristol County Basic Needs Network, $10,000; Newport Partnership for Families, $30,000; Rhode Island Community Action Association, $30,000; and the Woonsocket Protein Collaborative, $10,000.