KENT, Conn.—For the past 20 years the Kent Community Fund has provided critical funding necessary to help town residents with emergency needs.
A celebration of that hard work was held Friday, Oct. 16, at town hall with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal in attendance along with State Representative Maria Horn.
Catherine Bachrach, one of the founding members of KCF, who stepped down earlier this year, was presented with a commemorative citation for her dedicated work during an appreciation party attended by board members, donors and those who have helped with fundraising.
“The board has always taken great pride in the fact that all requests and the names of those who receive those grants is kept confidential,” Bachrach said. More than $700,000 in grants has been awarded to those in need since KCF was founded in 2006. Bachrach said all funding comes through private donations.
Founding member Lorry Schiesel said there have been changes along the way as the board successfully lobbied the Board of Selectman years ago to increase the hours of the town’s Social Services director from part-time to full time.
The Kent Nursing Association also merged with KCF in 2018 to expand health services through various regional agencies. Today, requests are funneled through and vetted by the office of town Social Services Director Samantha Hasenflue and then approved by a three-member committee of the board.
Any vetted grants over $1,000 are approved by the full board, but again, the names of individuals, even to the full board, are kept anonymous.
Bachrach predicts there will be an increase this coming winter in fuel assistance requests and she said over time there has been an increase in medical needs, specifically dental expenses that are generally not covered by Medicare.
Schiesel said the requests through the years have continued to be wide ranging and she mentioned that the fund did help one family pay for an automated chair lift. Grants have also covered funeral expenses and car repairs.
Requests may also come from churches that are privy to residents facing utility shutoffs or those facing evictions for lack of rental payments. Funding has also supported the Kent Food Bank, which, in turn, purchases fresh foods to support struggling families. Approved grants are also paid directly to service providers and not to individuals or family members.
Board member George Potts said Senator Blumenthal was particularly impressed by the fact that the fund has few associated costs. The KCF has no paid employees, but board members are an experienced and diverse group with backgrounds in law, finance, education, business, health care, social services and non-profit management.
“Senator Blumental did mention that in this day and age it’s highly unusual for a nonprofit to have no administrative costs,” Potts said.
Food and refreshments for the event were provided by Fife n’ Drum Restaurant, Davis IGA, Kingsley Tavern, 45 On Main Coffee, Chocolate and Creamery and So Delicious Homemade Bakery.
For those wanting to donate, contributions can be mailed to the Kent Community Fund, P.O. Box 262, Kent, CT 06757.
More information on the KCF can be found at www.kentctcommunityfund.org.
