Main Street Community Foundation wrapped up its 2020 grantmaking by awarding $221,400 from the Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust to seven organizations working to improve the health and wellbeing of Southington residents. Despite nonprofits struggling due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations are still providing vital programs and services in Southington.

After careful assessment of the needs in Southington, five organizations received unrestricted operating support grants. The grants ranged from $12,500 to $90,000 and the organizations awarded are:

• Bread For Life
• Friends of Southington Community Services
• The L.E.A.F. (Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm)
• Prudence Crandall Center, Inc.
• Southington-Cheshire Community YMCAs

In addition, two organizations received grants to support programs benefiting Southington residents. They are:

• TriCircle Inc. - $5,000 - Monthly Hope & Support Groups serving individuals and families in Southington who have a loved one with a substance use disorder.
• Friends of Southington Public Library - $7,000 - Digital Access program to provide Wi-Fi hot spots and laptop lending to residents without access, and the Take and Make craft and cooking kits program to reduce social isolation for Southington residents.

These grants bring the total amount awarded for 2020 from the Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust to $843,578. All grants benefit organizations in Southington or organizations that provide programs to Southington residents.

The Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust was originally established in 1973 by the late Bradley Henry Barnes of Southington to support the health and health care needs of Southington residents. The Trust was transferred to the Main Street Community Foundation in 2004.