Organizations needing a small financial boost may now apply for a grant from The Westfield Service League (WSL). The organization is accepting grant applications for 2019 from local and area 501c3 organizations in Union County through January 28, 2019.
In 2018, WSL donated approximately $58,000 to 29 area organizations; many organizations received grants between $1000-$2000. One of the organizations receiving grant funding was St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth, which offers a wide range of services and programs to serve poor and homeless people in greater Elizabeth.
“Grants from the Westfield Service League save lives,” Bernadette Murphy, Executive Director of St. Joseph Social Service Center, told WSL members during a membership meeting. Most of the grant money goes toward prescription medication vouchers for people who can’t afford them, she explained.
“Thanks to the Westfield Service League’s support of our Health Services program, St. Joseph’s is able to help clients with life sustaining medications,” Murphy said. “We also provide education and vital sign monitoring to assist clients in managing their health. People may not realize that this program is a downstream effect when they donate an article of clothing.”
The WSL accepts donations of clothing, shoes, home décor, toys, and other items and sells them in their Thrift Shop in Westfield. Sales of items in the WSL Consignment Shop are split between consignors and the organization. Funds for grants result from the profits of both the WSL Thrift and Consignment shops, which is why the service league emphasizes that its shoppers, consignors or donors are paying it forward and giving back to their community.
St. Joseph Social Service Center also previously received a grant which was used to purchase an awning to provide cover from sun, rain or snow to clients waiting to enter its facilities.
Grant information and an application may be requested by email at wsldonationapplication@gmail.com. Hard copies of the completed applications, with support materials, must be received by Monday, January 28, 2019.
The WSL Thrift and Consignment Shop are located on 114 Elmer Street, Westfield. For more information visit thewestfieldserviceleague.org.
(above, l-r) Bernadette Murphy, Executive Director of St. Joseph Social Service Center, and Jacqueline Karmol, St. Joseph at-large board member, with Kim Taylor, President of The Westfield Service League.
Photo by Sylvia A. Martinez
