During the summer, First Presbyterian Church of Bradford applied for and received a $4,000 grant from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) to address humanitarian issues in the Bradford community stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic.

PDA is the emergency and refugee arm of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. The core budget is funded through offerings in the One Great Hour of Sharing, and other funding comes through designated gifts.

Bradford was identified by PDA as a community in need due the vulnerability of a large segment of its population. Funds were sent to and distributed by the church to the Friendship Table, Meals on Wheels, and the YWCA of Bradford to assist with food and housing for persons in need.

According to Vanessa Castano, executive director of the YWCA, “Since mid-March, approximately 41 men, women and children have benefited from approximately 591 nights of emergency shelter. Over half of those slept in their cars, in the elements, or in an abandoned building prior to connecting with the YWCA.

“Safe shelter could not have been provided without the aid of the First Presbyterian Church, who provided grant funds to help support the efforts to ensure safe housing for the Bradford and McKean County communities,” Castano said.

Stacy Shotts Williams, director of volunteer services and community outreach at BRMC, which oversees the Meals on Wheels program, indicated that the grant covered a week’s worth of meals. She stated, “We are privileged to have the opportunity to serve our vulnerable population and we are blessed to have received a donation from the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program to help us continue our service.”

And likewise, Joe Doriguzzi, assistant manager at Friendship Table, indicated that they have seen an increase of over 100 meals a day during the Covid crisis, and that community support such as that received from PDA is essential.

First Presbyterian Church partners with a number of non-profit organizations in the community that serve vulnerable populations, and according to co-pastors Katherine Randall and Rob Klouw, “The teachings of Christ are clear that we have an obligation to look after one another, to share our resources, and to do everything we can within our power to ensure that no child or adult goes to bed hungry or homeless. First Presbyterian Church is honored to be able to make a modest contribution to this effort in our community and beyond.”