The Northeastern Chapter of the American Red Cross received a $10,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it will use to support its Home Fire Campaign.
Through the grant funding, the American Red Cross will provide services to local victims of disaster and aid them in their recovery to return to stable housing. In fiscal year 2022, this local unit served more than 800 residents across Carbon, Columbia, Luzerne and Schuylkill counties. In Luzerne and Schuylkill counties alone, it assisted nearly 700 individuals through 170 disasters and installed over 1,300 smoke alarms.
The Red Cross Disaster Services, also known as the Home Fire Campaign, consists of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Disaster preparedness happens through programs focused on educating local residents about fire prevention and how to respond in an emergency, which happens via community outreach and programs targeted directly at students. The response and recovery portions take place when the Red Cross is called to a home fire or disaster and a Disaster Action Team member assists residents through both emotional support and financial assistance, which is done through a re-loadable debit card that's used for shelter, food, and clothing.
John Santa Barbara, regional philanthropy officer for the American Red Cross, said, “The funding from the First Federal Charitable Foundation will allow the Home Fire Campaign to grow and allow the Red Cross to reach out into the local community and educate residents of all ages. In the days following an event, each client is assigned a caseworker that specializes in connecting residents to local resources. If needed, clients are referred to a spiritual care specialist who is trained to help clients cope with these loss and life-changing events.”
The First Federal Charitable Foundation was established to support worthwhile community causes. It strives to nurture nonprofit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from the community, empower nonprofit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to the area, and promote opportunities for new nonprofit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved.
Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation located in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia counties are eligible to apply. Any organization whose headquarters is in another county but services either Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon or Columbia counties may apply for a grant to be used in one of those counties.
For more information on the foundation or to obtain a grant application, email