Nashville, Tenn. (June 2, 2010) - Kiwanis Club of Nashville's Priority One Youth Foundation has donated $13,000 to The Salvation Army's Emergency Services Center to provide emergency funds to assist families "up and over" the wall of poverty.
Since 1998, Kiwanis Club of Nashville has collectively donated over $185,000 to the Salvation Army through its Priority One Youth Foundation. The foundation's funds are raised from the club's annual pancake breakfast, charity golf tournament, nut sales and president's banquet and raffle, all of which go into the club's Up & Over Fund, established in 1998 by past president Penny Kiel.
According to Linda Meeks, director of The Salvation Army's Emergency Services Center, their requests for emergency assistance for food, shelter and utilities has multiplied five times since April 2008 - from an average of 400 calls per month to the current average of 2,000 calls per month.
"The Salvation Army could not respond effectively to any of those requests without the financial support of Kiwanis Club of Nashville's Up & Over Fund, a refilled reservoir of monies we count on for year round distributions each year," said Meeks.
Other benefactors of Kiwanis' Priority One Youth Foundation's benevolence include: CASA; United Neighborhood Health Services; Governor's Books from Birth Foundation; Sexual Assault Center (formerly the Rape & Sexual Abuse Center), and Boys & Girls Clubs. All recipients must designate awarded grant monies to benefit children. Grants from Kiwanis' Priority One Youth Foundation are awarded once a year. Application forms for 2010 may be obtained by visiting Kiwanis' web site at www.kiwanisofnashville.org. Deadline for submissions is August 14, 2010.
Founded in 1916, Kiwanis Club of Nashville, www.kiwanisofnashville.org, is comprised of over 200 business leaders in all professions, including health care, law, accounting, banking, real estate, and retail. Its club members make an impact on the Nashville community by performing many worthy community service projects to serve children and young adults.
Founded in 1865 in London, England, The Salvation Army began its individual and family services faith-based ministry to the Nashville community in 1890 - meeting human needs without discrimination.
About The Kiwanis Club of Nashville: The Kiwanis Club of Nashville is an avid supporter of The Salvation Army, collectively donating over $185,000 since 1998. Pictured here is the Kiwanis Club of Nashville's Kettle Band stationed at the Salvation Army's downtown Nashville kettle cup location this past Christmas season. They collected $5,000, winning The Salvation Army's coveted Kettle Cup Award for the sixth consecutive year.
About the Salvation Army: The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 128 years in the United States. Nearly 29 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services in 5,000 communities that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Visit us on-line to learn more or to make a donation. www.salvationarmyusa.org