The Camden Rotary Club has awarded grants to the following organizations:

• Camden Fire Department and Rockport Fire Department: $10,000 for the departments’ Smoke Detector Assistance Program. A large number of homes in these two towns are over 100 years old and lack properly functioning smoke detectors. The fire departments will supply smoke detectors to the public, either when on fire calls or when residents visit the station.

• Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO): $1,000 will support the organization’s energy assistance program. Heating and electricity vouchers are issued to vendors to provide heating products and prevent utility shut-offs. To date during this heating season, AIO has issued heating assistance totaling $83,000 to 328 households and prevented electricity shut-off to 63 households.

• MCH Meals on Wheels: $1,000 will increase the organization’s ability to provide hot meals to everyone in need, regardless of their ability to make the suggested donation. With MCH Meals on Wheels receiving less than 30% of its funding from government grants, this program is under threat of service reduction.

• P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center: $1,000 will fund the purchase of healthy pet food and basic pet supplies for MCH Meals on Wheels clients who need financial assistance to support their pets.

These grants are part of the Camden Rotary Club’s annual grant process. Since 2011, the Camden Rotary Club has invested $238,000 in the community via its grants to nonprofit organizations in Knox County and Lincolnville. The Club has also invested in local students by awarding $104,000 in scholarships since 2017.

Outside of this regular grants cycle, the Camden Rotary Club has deployed an emergency task force to help nonprofit organizations in Knox County and Lincolnville that are most directly impacted by the current global health crisis. The Club has made funds available to support non-medical services directly related to the economic and human impacts of COVID-19. Each request must be limited to $5,000; however, organizations may apply for additional funds if the need arises. To request an application, contact rotary.secretary.camden@gmail.com.

The Camden Rotary Club is a service organization comprised of our neighbors who put “service above self.” Members of the public are invited to participate in the Camden Rotary Club’s weekly meetings at noon on Tuesdays, which are accessible via Zoom. Please contact Diane Lebson at dlebson@evergreenphilanthropy.com for a password-protected link to the meeting. For more information about the Camden Rotary Club, please visit www.camdenrotary.org.