This pandemic has increased demand for many services provided by local nonprofits.”

Sen. Jack Reed

Two Barrington nonprofit agencies recently received thousands of dollars through the federal CARES Act.

Tap-In (Touch A Person In Need) received $2,860, while the Friends of Barrington Senior Center received $10,000. The local organizations received the grant money from the Rhode Island Foundation, which is administering two pools of CARES Act funding — the Nonprofit Support Fund and the Nonprofit Support for Domestic Violence Victims Fund — on behalf of the state.

“The Rhode Island Foundation was pleased to provide critical support for nonprofit organizations serving many in need in our community,” said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.

Statewide, $4 million is going to support nonprofits that are offering new or expanded program services or direct assistance that responds to the pandemic's impact on individuals and communities. Eligible uses of the grant money are limited to new, direct costs that are incurred in the provision of these services and direct assistance, including increased staffing, equipment, supplies and material.

Tap-In is a 100 percent volunteer-run organization that provides food and household items to East Bay families in need. The organization services people in East Providence, Barrington, Warren and Bristol. It is located in the basement floor of the Peck Center building.

The Friends of Barrington Senior Center provides additional support to the town’s senior center.

The funding for the grants came from the state’s $1.25 billion share of federal CARES Act funding, which was approved by Congress for COVID-19 relief earlier this year.

“This pandemic has increased demand for many services provided by local nonprofits,” said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed. “These organizations have been working overtime to deliver critical relief and assistance. This federal funding will ensure more nonprofits have the resources they need to continue helping families and communities recover.”

The Rhode Island Foundation also awarded $1 million to eight organizations to address COVID-19 impacts on domestic violence survivors. The grants are through the Foundation’s Nonprofit Support for Domestic Violence Victims Fund.