Friday evening, June 14th, more than 100 people attended “Family, Fun & Fathers”, a night of bowling, mini-golf and food at Lessard Lanes in Plainville. Hosted by the Men & Boys’ Fund of Main Street Community Foundation, this night was a way to honor and spend time with fathers and families while supporting local men and boys.

Proceeds from the night out will benefit the Men & Boys’ Fund’s grantmaking program, which provides grants that make it possible for men and boys to improve the quality of their lives, increase self-sufficiency, and make a positive difference in their community. The Fund serves Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott. Grant applications will be available July 15 on mainstreetfoundation.org; September 6 is the deadline to apply.

“Because of the community’s generous support, the Men & Boys’ Fund has been able to award $9,000 in program grants and $3,400 in immediate response grants in our first three years,” said Rodger Stotz, chair of the Men & Boys’ Fund Advisory Board. “Events like ‘Family, Fun & Fathers’ enable the Fund to help even more of your neighbors.”

In 2018, four grants were awarded to local organizations and several small immediate response grants were awarded to support men and boys experiencing unexpected financial hardships. The grants have been awarded to programs that teach young men critical life skills, support men who are single parents, give boys a summer camp opportunity, and more.