Three NWA charities garner $73,000 in Mercy grants

Healthcare

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) July 30, 2019 1:26 pm 361 views 

Missouri-based Mercy healthcare system announced Tuesday (July 30) plans to give $500,000 in grants to more than two dozen charitable organizations in seven states, including Arkansas. Mercy said the grants are going to organizations that serve children, elderly, homeless and uninsured people

Three organizations in Arkansas are among those selected to receive the following grants.

  • Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County (Rogers) – Western Benton County Mental Health Services provides quality, holistic counseling services, free of charge, to children and their families by treating the whole person to alleviate trauma symptoms and promote healing. The center is expanding services to include a location in western Benton County. ($23,000)
  • Samaritan House Community Center (Rogers) – The center operates Samaritan Dental Clinic, a nonprofit organization that serves the hurting and hungry of Northwest Arkansas. The clinic’s purpose is to provide free, comprehensive oral health care to adults who are uninsured and unable to afford quality dental care. ($35,000)
  • Loaves and Fishes Food Bank of the Ozarks (Berryville) – Operation Food for Hungry Kids is a weekend food pack program providing about 3,500 calories of nutritious meals and snacks for hungry children in Berryville and Green Forest. Its purpose is to supplement free and reduced-cost lunch programs with consistent weekend nutrition for children living in poverty. ($15,000)

“Catherine McAuley, who founded the Sisters of Mercy in 1831, had a zeal to serve those in need and Mercy’s health ministry continues those efforts today,” said Sister Mary Roch Rocklage, Mercy’s health ministry liaison and board member. “By giving back to our communities, we honor our mission of Mercy.”

Since 1987, Mercy has awarded more than $15 million to provide medical care, counseling, housing, meals and other services. Mercy said this year’s grants will benefit more than 48,000 people.

Mercy said 19 of the 29 grants are from the Mercy Caritas (Latin for charity) grants that support community-based programs consistent with Mercy’s mission. Ten other grants were awarded to Sisters of Mercy working in direct service to people in poverty.